New Scorecard Shows Where Indiana Needs Improvement to Serve Older Adults, People With Disabilities

(Indianapolis, IN) – Indiana ranks 51 when it comes to meeting the long-term care needs of older residents and people with disabilities according to a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

Picking Up the Pace of Change: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers –the third in a series of reports—ranks each state overall and on 25 specific indicators in 5 key dimensions: affordability and access; choice of setting and provider; quality of life and quality of care; support for family caregivers; and, effective transitions between nursing homes, hospitals and homes.

Long-term care (also called long-term services and supports or LTSS) is a diverse set of services designed to help older people and those with disabilities; services can be provided in a person’s home, in a community setting such as an adult day center, or in a group residential facility like a nursing home.

“While Indiana’s ranking is disappointing, this report gives us a snapshot that we can use to sharpen our focus and better assist older Hoosiers, those with disabilities, and family caregivers,” said Sarah Waddle, state director for AARP Indiana. “In less than 10 years, baby boomers will begin to turn 80, placing new expectations and challenges on a still imperfect long-term care system, so we are at a juncture where it’s crucial that we work together with the administration, legislators and other organizations to meet the growing demand for care needed in each community.”

Of the 25 Scorecard indicators, many may be improved through state policy changes, pointing to the importance of AARP’s multi-state advocacy campaign, launched in 2014, to help older Americans live independently, at home, and the family caregivers that support them.

The full state Scorecard, along with an interactive map of state rankings and information, is available at www.longtermscorecard.org.