Where Does State Rank in Long-Term Care?

Iowa ranks among the top third of states in meeting residents’ long-term care needs. Even so, a recently released scorecard reveals room for improvement.

Produced by AARP, the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation, the scorecard ranks states on 26 metrics such as affordability, access to services, choice of setting and provider, support for family caregivers and length of stay in nursing homes. Iowa ranked last in the percentage of people who successfully transition back into the community after a nursing home stay of 90 days or longer.

“We hope the scorecard will encourage policymakers to focus on areas most in need of improvement,” said Kent Sovern, AARP state director.

To read the report, go to longtermscorecard.org.