National Public Radio published a great series on one of the toughest questions the country faces when it comes to a growing older population.

Should people stay and receive care in their home or move into a nursing home?  The investigative report dives into a bunch of issues and they did some impressive data work as well.  For example, the NPR Nursing Home Database they developed has information about the independence level of residents at nearly 16,000 individual nursing homes around the country.

Then, they take a look at what states are spending on Medicaid to serve the elderly and disabled in their communities, rather than in nursing homes.  They use a great map which you can see here.

They also dig into how new health reform law and a U.S. Supreme Court decision say people have a right to get their long-term care at home.  The series doesn’t touch on reverse mortgages but it clearly shows how the product could be used to help improve services.

Check out the special report here.