Legislation to expand care for elderly and disabled

Governor Phil Bredesen outlined details of the “Long Term Care Community Choices Act of 2008;” the state’s plan to simplify access to home and community-based services and increase the number of people able to stay at home for long-term care needs. Bredesen marked this year to deliver on his promise to expand alternatives to nursing homes for elderly and physically disabled residents through the TennCare program. Some of the key components of the legislation include; residential care choices in the community beyond nursing facilities with new options such as companion care, family care homes and improved access to assisted care living facilities;also maintaining a single point of entry for people who are not on TennCare today and need access to long term care services through Medicaid or other available programs.