Most older adults want to age at home and in their communities. Many will need long-term care, also known as long-term services and supports (LTSS) to do so. Long-term care must be robust, accessible, and affordable for those who need it most.
Why Long-Term Care Matters
While long-term care is essential to helping older adults live and age where they choose, current systems are not set up to offer and deliver the services and supports most need.
Focus Areas
State and federal policies and programs need to close coverage gaps, simplify systems, and ensure that every older adult has access to home and community-based supports (HCBS).
Finding a Path to Support Aging in Place in California
Nov 2025
California, National
Long-Term Care, Medicare-Medicaid Integration
Most older adults want to remain at home as they age, yet rising costs of health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS), also known as long-term care, and a fragmented care delivery system create barriers to doing so. This is particularly true for older adults with low incomes, who often experience complex care needs and chronic conditions. Efforts to integrate care for this population (e.g. coordinating Medicaid and Medicare services, integrating health care and housing) have had varying levels of success, and many remain siloed or face issues of scalability.
Rural older adults face distinct realities that California’s statewide planning must address. To support equitable solutions, we are pleased to share three new policy briefs. These briefs provide legislators and advocates with clear, actionable recommendations to address the needs of rural older adults, a population that is growing rapidly and already straining under workforce shortages, housing insecurity, and health disparities.
H.R.1, the federal reconciliation act signed into law in July 2025, will have significant impact on older Californians and Californians with disabilities. Medi-Cal, Medicare, Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, and CalFresh will be scaled back, limiting access to these vital programs.
“Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab” Established With Multiyear Commitment From The SCAN Foundation
Nov 2025
National
Long-Term Care
As millions of low-income older adults and people with disabilities struggle to access the care they need, The SCAN Foundation (TSF) is committing nearly $8 million over three years to develop and adopt viable, people-centered policy solutions with active community involvement.
New Dashboard Breaks Down by State, County the Number of People Using Medicaid HCBS
Jun 2025
National
Long-Term Care
A recent McKnights Home Care article spotlighted a groundbreaking Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) dashboard developed by ATI Advisory with support from The SCAN Foundation.
New State- and County-Based Dashboard Shows Where Critical Medicaid Services are Used by Older Adults and People With Disabilities
Jun 2025
National
Long-Term Care, Medicare-Medicaid Integration
Just under 6 million older adults and people with disabilities nationwide rely on health and supportive services through Medicaid’s Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program, according to a new database showing where these individuals reside.
