FACT CARD 4: HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES CHANGE IS IMPERATIVE 2011

What are home and community-based

services (HCBS)?
Home and community-based services include assisted living
services, housing with services, adult day services, adult foster
care, home care, hospice, independent senior living, respite
care and services, senior nutrition, and transportation services.

Home and community-based services help tens of
thousands of Minnesotans to live more independently.
• There is a large and growing population of individuals that can
no longer live completely independently but do not need the level
of care found in higher cost settings such as nursing homes.
• For these Minnesotans and their families, home and
community-based services (HCBS) provide options to maintain a
higher level of independence in the most efficient and cost-
effective manner.
Home and community-based services are a vital link
in the spectrum of care.
• As a part of the overall spectrum of care, HCBS provides value
by giving individuals choices to access the right care, at the right
place, at the right time.
• Minnesota has led the nation in moving long-term care from
institutions to community settings, such as in-home health care,
housing with services, and assisted living services in congregate
settings.
•It is estimated that the key HCBS program, the Elderly Waiver,
saved the state of Minnesota $275 million1 by ensuring that
seniors are cared for in the most cost-effective means
appropriate to the individual, reserving nursing homes for use by
those who truly need that level of care.

CHANGE IS IMPERATIVE 2011

 Cuts to assisted living services lead to fewer care Assisted Living is a Less Expensive Alternative to
options for Minnesotans and their families. Nursing Homes2
• Minnesota’s assisted living providers partner with Minnesota
participants and families to foster independent living options. $60,000 $56,210
Assisted living providers are serving more individuals than ever
before, yet their budgets continue to be cut. $50,000
• Assisted living providers have experienced double digit
administrative and legislative cuts at a time when demand for $40,000 $35,532
services is on the rise.
• Additional cuts to assisted living services for impoverished $30,000
Minnesotans make it difficult for providers to continue to offer
these services, making it more likely that these individuals will $20,000
rely on more expensive options, such as nursing homes and
$10,000
hospital stays.
$0
Cuts to Elderly Waiver are cuts to assisted living.
The Elderly Waiver (EW) program funds home and community- Avg Nursing Home Cost
based services such as assisted living for Minnesota seniors Avg Assisted Living Cost
eligible for Medical Assistance. Cuts to the state EW program
have a direct impact on assisted living service providers.

DATA SOURCES: About The Long-Term Care Imperative

1. Long-Term Care Imperative analysis of the November 2010 DHS Forecast
2. 2010 Metlife Market Survey of LTC Costs- Data for Nursing Home Single Rooms and
Assisted Living Units in Minnesota
The Long-Term Care Imperative is a collaborative effort between Care
Providers of Minnesota and Aging Services of Minnesota, the state’s
two long-term care provider associations. Our goal is to advance a
shared vision and future for older adult housing, health care, and
supportive services.

FACT CARD 4: HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES CHANGE IS IMPERATIVE 2011