Chuck Grassley: “Saturday, November 10, marked the last day of Long-Term Care Awareness Week--this was a week where our Nation recognized…”

“Saturday, November 10, marked the last day of Long-Term Care Awareness Week--this was a week where our Nation recognized that now more than ever, Americans need to pay attention to long-term care issues. My colleagues Senators Lincoln, Snowe, Stabenow, Smith and I couldn't think of a better way to cap off the Week than by introducing the Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2007. Our Nation is graying. Research shows that the elderly population will nearly double by 2030. By 2050, the population of those aged 85 and older will have grown by more than 300 percent. Research also shows that the average age at which individuals need long-term care services, such as home health care or a private room at a nursing home, is 75. Currently, the average annual cost for a private room at a nursing home is more than $75,000. This cost is expected to be in excess of $140,000 by 2030. Based on these facts, we can see that our Nation needs to prepare its citizens for the challenges they may face in old age.”