What older people want from long-term care, and how they can get it

Seniors' long-term care preferences resemble those of younger persons with disabilities, but the two groups are treated differently. Younger persons w ith disabilities pursue the goal of social integration, whereas safety and efficiency receive undue emphasis and ageist differences prevail in the way older persons are served. Among the changes needed to help older consumers get what they want are empowering older persons and their agents to make b etter decisions. including providing them with more structure and better co nsumer information; revising attitudes toward safety and protection; and de veloping more vigorous advocacy by and for seniors.