2009 Long Term Care Gaps Analysis
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) gathers local information about the current capacity and gaps in services and housing needs to support older persons in Minnesota. Since 2001 all counties in Minnesota have been requested to respond to a biennial survey of local capacity to meet long-term care needs of current residents, including any significant “gaps” in services or supports. This information is submitted to DHS through a County Gaps Analysis Survey.
Background
In 2001, the Minnesota Legislature approved a set of reform measures to re-balance Minnesota’s long-term care system—to develop and provide a wider range of home- and community-based service options to better meet the preferences and needs of disabled and older persons and their families. To launch this effort, the Legislature provided funding for counties to prepare an analysis of the long-term care system, including the current availability of- and projected need for- additional community-based long-term care supports, senior housing/service arrangements and facility-based long-term care.
In 2002 the Legislature eliminated the state funding for the Gaps Analysis. However, DHS has continued to be required by statute to report to the Legislature on the status of the full range of long-term care services for the elderly persons in Minnesota, including an update on the State’s efforts toward long-term care reform. DHS has asked counties to submit a Gaps Analysis survey every two years since 2001. Links to data from the 2001, 2005 and 2009 surveys are available below.
Changes to the 2009 Long Term Care Gaps Analysis Survey
Over the years the Gaps Analysis has primarily collected information about service capacity to meet the needs of older Minnesotans. The most recent survey conducted two years ago (for 2007) did include some additional questions to gather information about service capacity for the persons with disabilities of all ages. This current survey has returned to the original intent of the legislative requirement and asks only about long-term care services and supports for persons age 65 and older.
The 2009 Gaps Analysis survey was conducted online in March 2010 and counties were asked to report on current service capacity along with any changes in capacity since 2007. All eighty-seven counties participated in the 2009 Gaps Analysis survey.
2009 Statewide Report
2009 LTC Gaps Analysis Survey – Executive Summary
2009 LTC Gaps Analysis Survey – Full Report
2009 County Profiles
Profiles summarizing county responses are available for each participating county. These profiles can be accessed by clicking on the name of the county in the map below or the alphabetic list of counties provided at the bottom of this page.
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