New Reports Reveal Trends in Ohio’s Long-Term Care Services and Supports

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) and Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University (Scripps) have published a pair of reports on long-term care services and supports in Ohio. These longitudinal studies found that Ohio has made tremendous progress in enhancing the long-term services system, but challenges remain.

"As an aging state, the complex care needs of our growing population continue to evolve," said AGE Director Ursel J. McElroy. "However, we are providing more options than ever when it comes to how older adults receive care in Ohio. The four pillars of AGE's North Star are: quality of care, quality of life, elder rights, and system performance. These studies demonstrate that we are making progress in these areas, and toward our ultimate vision of making Ohio the best place to age in the nation."

The studies are now available on the AGE website:
• Home- and Community-Based Services: 1993-2023 PDF
• Nursing Homes in Ohio: A Profile PDF

"I am grateful to the Scripps Gerontology Center for their years of work that have gone into these longitudinal studies and their ongoing partnership with our department - helping us collect and analyze data about Ohio's older adults," added Director McElroy. "Their work has helped inform strategies that empower Ohioans to age on their own terms and in their preferred environment."

The studies are part of Scripps Gerontology Center's Ohio Long-Term Care Research Project. It was created by AGE and the Ohio General Assembly to track data about the growing number of older Ohioans likely to need long-term care services and supports, with the goal of informing the development of future state policies and plans to serve these residents.

"The Home- and Community-Based Services report shows that today more older Ohioans with high levels of disability are receiving services in the community rather than receiving care in a nursing home," said Dr. Bob Applebaum, who has led the Scripps Gerontology Center's Ohio Long-Term Care Research Project since its creation. "A remarkable change from 30 years ago when we began this study, when nine in 10 older Ohioans with high disability received their care in a nursing home."

"The Profile of Nursing Homes documents the changes experienced by Ohio's 930 nursing homes," added Dr. Applebaum. "From a dramatic increase in short-term rehabilitation residents, to recruitment and retention difficulties of the direct care workforce, to a heavy reliance on public funding, the report describes an industry in transition."

"Under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Aging has continued to support existing programs and introduced new initiatives, in an effort to meet the needs of current and future generations of aging Ohioans," said Director McElroy.

In the past year, AGE launched the newly enhanced Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator. The new name coincided with the addition of nearly 800 assisted living facilities to the Navigator, on top of the nearly 930 nursing homes that had previously been included. The updated Navigator also includes more data than ever for each facility, as well as a new "Care Quiz" feature that asks users simple questions to help direct them to the type of long-term care facility that may be best for them.

AGE is also leading a large expansion of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE is an interdisciplinary care model designed for older adults who require a level of support typically found in nursing facilities. It enables them to access the necessary assistance to remain in their homes and communities, rather than needing to relocate to an institutional long-term care setting. Services are now available in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain, Mahoning, Summit, and Trumbull counties. PACE is expected to open in Lucas and Montgomery counties later in 2026.

About AGE - The Ohio Department of Aging serves and advocates for the needs of Ohioans age 60 and older, as well as their families, caregivers and communities. Programs include home and community based long-term supports and services, as well as initiatives to promote health and wellness throughout the lifespan. Visit https://www.aging.ohio.gov.