Alabama - AARP Bulletin Today

AARP IN YOUR STATE

Alabama Bulletin State News

April 2007

Comforts of home – As lawmakers consider whether to enact programs providing more choices in long-term care, a recent AARP survey shows most Alabamians want to be able to receive care in their own homes and communities. The survey of 800 state residents age 35 and older found 89 percent believe it is extremely or very important to offer home and community-based care, and 67 percent support spending more state money on such services as home health care and adult day care. AARP Alabama is pushing for the state to create a “Money Follows the Person” program, which would allow people whose care is covered by Medicaid to move out of nursing homes and receive long-term care services in their homes and communities instead. Other issues on AARP Alabama’s 2007 wish list: requiring nursing homes to be inspected annually, and small personal care homes to be licensed and certified.