Americans are living longer and increasingly face serious health challenges and long-term care needs. The Catholic health care ministry advocates public policies that promote a high quality, accessible, and affordable continuum of care to address the needs of those with chronic conditions and illnesses requiring long-term and continuing care.

Currently, those age 65 and older make up a higher percentage of the total American population than at any time in history, and that percentage continues to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of older persons is expected to double in 10 years, with a three-fold increase expected in 20 years. A significant expansion in the population of those aged 85 and older also is occurring. Between 1960 and 2000, the 85-plus segment increased by more than 275 percent, six times as fast as the general population. Persons over age 85 represent the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and are most associated with frailty and a greater need for long-term care health services.

As people in our communities live longer, the Catholic health ministry is challenged to provide a compassionate continuum of services to address the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of persons needing continuing care. This requires a shift in the focus of the health care system, from treating episodes of acute illness to an emphasis on maintaining health and independence and treating chronic illnesses regardless of the setting where persons are receiving services. The essential challenge for policy makers and providers alike is to design a system that is adequately structured and financed to provide quality services along a continuum.

The mission of the Catholic health ministry is to serve those in need and to create a society in which everyone has the necessary resources to achieve physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and social health. Ensuring the need for continuing care throughout illness and in frailty is at the heart of our commitment. The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services call upon Catholic health care institutions to be witnesses to our faith in establishing communities of respect, love, and support to patients or residents and their families as they approach the end of life.

For more information on CHA's position and activities on continuing care issues, see the policy brief Continuing Care.