AARP report: Ohio 35th in long-term care

A first-of-its-kind ranking from AARP has found that the overall performance of Ohio’s long-term care system is 35th best in the nation (Source: “Seeking The Best Place For Long-Term Care? Head North,” Kaiser Health News, Sept. 8, 2011)

According to the Ohio scorecard, the state ranks highest in in “support for family caregivers (23rd) and “choice of setting & provider” (26th). Minnesota was ranked first in the report and Alabama ranked last.

According to the report, if Ohio improved to the level of the best-performing state:

• 29,182 more low- or moderate-income adults age 21 and older with activity of daily living disabilities would be covered by Medicaid.
• 14,000 more new users of Medicaid LTSS would first receive services in home and community based settings instead of nursing homes.
• 6,431 nursing home residents with low care needs would instead be able to receive LTSS in the community.
• 5,682 unnecessary hospitalizations of people in nursing homes would be avoided.