Older Adults’ Goals and Expectations When Using Long-Term Services and Supports

Abstract

Objective Despite recent research focused on aging well, little is known regarding the goals and expectations from long-term services and supports (LTSS) use among older adults. Methods To address this knowledge gap, interviewer-guided surveys with older adults newly receiving LTSS in home and community-based, assisted living, and nursing home settings in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York were conducted. Results Twelve subthemes regarding the goals and expectations of 464 older adults receiving LTSS and in the context of Aging Well emerged from our analysis: maintaining function, optimizing health and circumstances, maintaining the status quo, transitioning back to the previous state, achieving independence, preserving cognitive function and capacity for psychosocial and emotional health, achieving purpose, increasing quality of life, receiving social support, increasing engagement, relieving burden, and feeling a sense of security/safety. Discussion This in-depth analysis of qualitative data provides context for LTSS use among older adults.