143B-181.5. Long-term services and supports - findings.

The North Carolina General Assembly finds that the aging of the population and advanced medical technology have resulted in a growing number of persons who require long-term services and supports. The primary resources for long-term assistance continues to be family and friends. However, these traditional caregivers are increasingly employed outside the home. There is growing demand for improvement and expansion of home and community-based long-term services and supports to complement the care provided by these informal caregivers.

The North Carolina General Assembly further finds that the public interest would best be served by a broad array of long-term services and supports that enable persons who need such services to remain in the home or in the community whenever practicable and that promote individual autonomy and dignity as these individuals exercise choice and control over their lives.

The North Carolina General Assembly finds that as other long-term service and support options become more readily available, the need for institutional care will stabilize or decline relative to the growing population of older adults and people living with disabilities. The General Assembly recognizes, however, that institutional care will continue to be a critical part of the State's long-term service and support options and that such care should promote individual dignity, autonomy, and a home like environment.