Health Affairs journal devotes January issue to long-term care

The health policy journal Health Affairs is releasing an issue today on long-term care and related services, and the challenges confronting caregiving.

To formally present the January 2010 issue, the journal is holding a press briefing today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It has invited key lawmakers and leading experts in aging and health policy to talk about policies and approaches to address the challenges, the journal noted.

The edition discusses several long-term care-related topics, including the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, which is part of healthcare reform legislation. It also examines the need to develop a competent, paid workforce to deliver needed services and supports. Other articles address the lack of attention paid to family caregivers and the need for employers to confront end-of-life issues. A discussion of long-term care financing is also a part of the magazine. Two articles argue that high-quality palliative care should be made more available to elderly people in nursing homes.

To see the table of contents from this issue, click here: http://www.healthaffairs.org/press/Jan2010_TOC.pdf.