Public and Private Responsibilities in Long-term Care

A group of contributors examines the competing perspectives regarding individual and societal obligations to provide and finance long-term care for older citizens. They argue that the traditional juxtaposition of public and private responsibilities may no longer be germane for policy discussions.

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Massive reforms affecting the financing of long-term care are taking place at both federal and state levels in the US. As a result, the debate over public versus private responsibilites for providing that care has become increasingly important in the formation of public policy. In this volume, a group of contributors examines competing perspectives regarding individual and societal obligations to provide and finance long-term care for older citizens. The authors argue that the traditional juxtaposition of public and private responsibilities in long-term care may no longer be germane in framing policy discussions around long-term care financing. The chapters are grouped into four sections: an introduction and overview, the theoretical context of public and private roles, a review of current policies and programmes for financing long-term care, and concluding policy recommendations. Integrating theory, practice and policy, the book is intended for professionals in gerontology, health policy and finance and public policy.