Kietzman Kathryn G, Durazo Eva M, Torres Jacqueline M, Choi Anne Soon, Wallace Steven P
Policy Brief UCLA Cent Health Policy Res. 2011 Dec(PB2011-10):1-8.
This policy brief presents findings from a yearlong study that closely followed a small but typical set of older Californians with disabilities who depend on fragile arrangements of paid public programs and unpaid help to live safely and independently at home. Many of these older adults have physical and mental health needs that can rise or fall with little warning; most are struggling with increasing disability as they age. In spite of these challenges, most display resilience and fortitude, and all share a common determination to maintain their independence at almost any cost. Declines in health status and other personal circumstances among aging Californians have been exacerbated by recent reductions in public support, and will be made even worse by significant additional cuts that are pending. Policy recommendations include consolidating long-term care programs and enhancing support for caregivers.
本政策简报展示了一项为期一年的研究结果。该研究密切跟踪了一小群但具有代表性的加利福尼亚残疾老年人，他们依靠脆弱的公共付费项目安排和无偿帮助，以便在家中安全且独立地生活。这些老年人中的许多人都有身心健康需求，这些需求可能毫无预兆地增减；随着年龄增长，大多数人都在与日益增加的残疾状况作斗争。尽管面临这些挑战，但大多数人都表现出了恢复力和坚韧不拔的精神，并且所有人都有一个共同的决心，即几乎不惜任何代价维持自己的独立。加利福尼亚老年人健康状况的下降和其他个人情况因近期公共支持的减少而加剧，而即将进行的大幅额外削减将使情况变得更糟。政策建议包括整合长期护理项目并加强对护理人员的支持。
