Middle-income Californians may not be able to afford long-term care as they age. 

Most middle-income families in California do not have enough savings or other income sources to cover the high costs of long-term services and supports (LTSS) associated with aging. Compounding the problem, many earn too much to qualify for government assistance programs such as Medi-Cal (Medicaid) that can cover LTSS for older adults and people with disabilities whether at home, in nursing homes, or other congregate settings.  

To find a solution to this growing problem, California’s Department of Aging is leading a cross-agency initiative to research and analyze LTSS financing options for older adults and people with disabilities.

NORC is surveying older middle-income Californians using AmeriSpeak®. 

California’s Department of Aging commissioned NORC to survey a representative sample of California residents age 50+ using our large-scale, probability-based AmeriSpeak panel. We are conducting two surveys. The first will help us understand whether and how older adults are preparing for potential LTSS needs.  

The second will present and ask AmeriSpeak panel members their opinions on a set of policy solutions—identified through policy research and stakeholder engagement—as part of the larger California Department of Aging initiative to address LTSS coverage challenges.