by Steve Hart (Guest Contributor)

California faces soaring demand for long-term care services, with a senior  population expected to surge 90% by 2032, according to a new study by AARP.

The number of seniors age 85 and over -- those most likely to need long-term  care -- will grow by 78%, significantly faster than the U.S. average, the report  said.

Most people in that demographic category live below 250% of the federal  poverty line and will probably qualify for need-based long-term care and other  forms of public support, AARP researchers predicted.

"This will have significant ramifications in the future, because older people  of modest income are most likely to rely on publicly funded long-term care," the  report said.

California is preparing to meet the demand, said Anthony Cava of the state  Department of Health Care Services. In July, the state passed a "Coordinated  Care Initiative" that integrates medical, behavioral and long-term care for  dual-eligible Medicare and Med-Cal beneficiaries.