National Alzheimer's Plan Mentions LTCI, Briefly

The 5 core goals the council lists in the National Plan call for HHS and others to work to:

• Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025.
• Optimize Care Quality and Efficiency.
• Expand Supports for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Families.
• Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement.
• Track Progress and Drive Improvement.

THE PLAN

Plan drafters refer to private LTCI in a section on supporting families affected by dementia and in a section on helping families prepare for the possibility that they might be affected by dementia.

“The vast majority of people do not think about or plan for the long-term services and supports they will need until they experience a disability or [Alzheimer's disease],” according to the plan section on helping the families of patients with dementia. “Many Americans incorrectly believe that Medicare will cover most of the costs of these supportive services. Unfortunately, by the time care is needed, it is difficult to get coverage in the private long-term care insurance market, and options are limited. Educating people about their potential need for long-term services and supports and the significant advantages of planning ahead for these services encourages timely preparation.”

The section on planning calls for HHS and others to look at awareness of long-term care (LTC) needs and barriers to LTC planning.

HHS will conduct a national survey to examine attitudes about LTC and barriers to LTC planning, according to the plan.

“Preparing to access long-term services and supports requires planning ahead,” drafters say elsewhere in the plan. ”For individuals without a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, this may include planning for a potential need for long-term services and supports, as part of retirement planning, through personal savings, long-term care insurance or legal documentation.”