As the Baby Boom generation ages, they and their caregivers are finding that the care they think they’ll receive doesn’t always measure up to expectations. The quality of care you or an elderly loved one will receive depends on a number of factors, including (surprisingly), where you live.
Picking Up the Pace of Change: Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard, 2017 Edition takes a multidimensional approach to measure state-level performance of long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems that assist older people, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.
The Scorecard aims to pick up the pace of improving LTSS and measures system performance from the viewpoint of service users and their families. It is designed to help states improve the performance of their LTSS systems so that older people and adults with disabilities in all states can exercise choice and control over their lives, thereby maximizing their independence and well-being. State policymakers often control key indicators measured, and they can influence others through oversight activities and incentives.
The Scorecard examines state performance, both overall and along five key dimensions, including:
Affordability and Access,
Choice of Setting and Provider,
Quality of Life and Quality of Care,
Support for Family Caregivers and;
Effective Transitions.
How does Tennessee rank?
Tennessee was one of two states showing the greatest improvement. Our state improved significantly on more than half of the indicators for which performance could be tracked over time. Tennessee improved on 13 of 23 such indicators.
Despite these improvements, Tennessee’s overall ranking increased only from #48 to #47, primarily because LTSS system performance varies dramatically between states. Even the most-improved states must significantly pick up the pace of change to achieve the level of performance demonstrated by Washington, Minnesota, and other high-performing states.
The state ranks in the bottom half in nearly all dimensions.
The state’s overall ranking:  47 of 50
Affordability and Access: 43
Choice of Setting and Provider: 45
Quality of Life & Quality of Care: 47
Support for Family Caregivers: 49
Effective Transitions: 23
The scorecard also shows were states have a high standard of care, and where they can make improvements. The purpose of creating the scorecard is to show the states what areas they can improve upon. With this scorecard in place, there is hope for increasing the standard of care for our senior population, and for the individuals with disabilities.
Interested in seeing how states compared? Read Picking Up the Pace of Change, 2017: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers
If you want to be sure that your loved one is receiving the best possible care, Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law can offer support. We can help you locate the right care and leave no stone unturned when it comes to paying for it. Just give us a call. 615.824.2571.