blog post Medi-Cal and the Fall Election By Shannon McConville, Paul Warren Dec 8, 2016 Three initiatives passed in November provide up to $3 billion in additional funds for Medi-Cal each year. But their impact will depend on questions yet to be answered.
Report Anticipating Changes in Regional Demand for Nursing Homes By Laurel Beck, Landon Gibson Nov 2, 2016 California’s nursing homes provide a major source of personal and medical care for the state’s most vulnerable residents—the elderly and the disabled. By 2030 the state’s 65-and-over population will grow by 87 percent. The number of people requiring skilled nursing care could increase by 32,000, far outstripping current capacities. We find that there will be significant disparities in regional growth rates across racial/ethnic groups and in regions’ abilities to absorb higher numbers of patients. Specifically: The Bay Area and the Inland Empire have the largest discrepancies between existing nursing home capacity and projected demand in 2030; Los Angeles and Northern California (excluding the Bay Area) have the smallest. Regional growth rates in the 65-and-over population vary widely within racial/ethnic groups. For example, rates among Latinos range from 159 percent on the state’s Southern Border (Imperial and San Diego Counties) to 193 percent in the Inland Empire; among Asians they range from 93 percent in the Central Coast to 212 percent in Northern California (excluding the Bay Area). In order to meet the growing and changing demands for senior care at the statewide and regional levels, policymakers will need to address ways to increase nursing home capacity. These solutions must also include recruiting and training health workers who can provide effective, culturally competent care, whether in skilled nursing facilities or home- and community-based settings.
blog post Video: California’s Aging Population By Linda Strean Aug 13, 2015 How is California coping with the challenge of its growing and changing senior population? That was the question posed to a panel of experts at a PPIC event in Sacramento last week.
event California’s Aging Population Aug 7, 2015 About the ProgramCalifornia is facing a period of rapid growth in its senior population, and the need for at–home assistance or nursing home care will rise significantly. The policy implications of these changes will be wide–reaching—from increased demands on the health and human services budget to new pressures on workforce training, particularly in California's community colleges. PPIC research fellow Laurel Beck will provide an overview of these changes and challenges, and a panel of experts will discuss the future of aging in the Golden State. Please register in advance. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited. Lunch will be provided.
Report Planning for California’s Growing Senior Population By Hans Johnson, Laurel Beck Aug 6, 2015 California’s senior population is entering a period of rapid growth. By 2030, as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age, the over-65 population will grow by four million people. It will also become much more racially and ethnically diverse, with the fastest growth among Latinos and Asians. Many more seniors are likely to be single and/or childless—suggesting an increased number of people living alone. All of these changes will have a significant impact on senior support services. We project that by 2030 slightly more than one million seniors will require some assistance with self-care, and that the demand for nursing home care will begin to increase after decades of decline. These changes will have direct budget implications for the Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs, both of which pay for care and services for low-income seniors. The state will need additional resources, including nursing care facilities and health care professionals, especially those who provide home- and community-based services. California’s community college system will be critical in training workers to meet the state’s health care workforce needs for the growing and changing senior population.
press release California’s Senior Population in 2030: Much Bigger, More Diverse, More Likely to Be Single, Childless Aug 6, 2015
