Today, the world's population is aging at a very rapid rate and the United States is no exception to this demographic shift. According to the US Census Bureau, older adults will represent 21% of the US population in 2050 (Older Americans, 2012). Although living longer may not seem like a negative sign, living longer does not necessarily mean living healthier. Today's older adults have a greater need for long-term health care services than any generation before them (Older Americans, 2012). Due to the growing need for elder care, millions of families are faced with crucial decisions about how to care for their parents. Additionally, declining birth rates may cause people to receive less care and family support as they age. To be able to provide necessary care to seniors, a government-funded long-term care insurance program is necessary. Medicare is the federal program that provides health coverage to people age 65 and older (Green, 2003). Although many assume that Medicare provides long-term care, these benefits are very limited and are not effective enough to meet much-needed senior care services. For example, Medicare programs do not help fund personal care services such as eating, dressing, or toileting, even though these "activities of daily living" are the most necessary services for most older adults. (Green, 2003). These care services can be provided to seniors through the Long-Term Care Insurance program. According to the national survey of people 55 and older, only 36% thought they would need long-term insurance (Carter, 2008). However, it is estimated that at least 60% of people over the age of 65 will need long-term care services at...... middle of paper ......These services can be essential to improving the health of many people. citizens and to control rising health costs. Preventive screenings and counseling on topics such as weight loss, depression treatment and alcohol use can help detect many diseases early, when they are treatable, and reduce costs long-term health care (America's Health Insurance Plans, 2007). ).Currently, voters may be reluctant to accept tax increases to fund the social long-term care insurance program. Additionally, private long-term care insurance can only serve a small fraction of the aging population due to its cost. However, the government-funded long-term care insurance program can ease pressure on family caregivers, improve quality of life for some older adults, and provide a framework to address the country's serious demographic challenges..