Report Finds Cognitively Impaired Seniors Struggle to Access Home Care

A recent report from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) highlights significant barriers preventing seniors with cognitive impairment from accessing home care services. Approximately 4.3 million seniors in the U.S. live alone with cognitive challenges. Yet, nearly 80% cannot obtain home care aides through programs like Medicaid due to their ineligibility to qualify for Medicaid. Many of these seniors struggle with daily activities and receive little to no assistance from family or friends.

To address these challenges, UCSF researchers propose several policy changes to expand access to home care. They recommend raising Medicaid eligibility thresholds for homebound seniors and exploring state-based programs for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid. Additionally, they suggest introducing tax credits for older adults with cognitive impairment so they can hire home health aides or support family caregivers. The report also mentions the need to expand initiatives like the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, which offers financial support to caregivers, ultimately helping seniors gain access to necessary home care services.

To read the full policy brief, click here.