First we need to understand what Long Term Care is. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says Long-term care is a variety of services that includes medical and non-medical care to people who have a chronic illness or disability. Long-term care helps meet health or personal needs. Most long-term care is to assist people with support services such as activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living or in nursing homes. It is important to remember that you may need long-term care at any age.
A report prepared by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging (February 2000) described long term care as “. . . differing from other types of health care in that the goal of long-term care is not to cure an illness, but to allow an individual to attain and maintain an optimal level of functioning.”
Nearly half of all Americans will need long-term care at some point in their lives. In fact, one in five over the age of 50 is at a high risk of needing long-term care within the next 12 months.
Therefore, planning is crucial if you are to designate a facility that will be able to provide your loved one, relative or friend with the highest quality of care and quality of life in a safe and secure environment.
It helps to diminish the feeling of loss or guilt that some experience, either when entering or placing a loved one or relative in an assisted living residence or a nursing facility. In addition, it aids in making the transition less stressful for the new residents, families and loved ones.
Having a conversation about a person’s long-term care wishes in advance will be helpful when the time comes to make more concrete decisions about the daily care of loved ones or friends who can no longer care for themselves.
Yet, the decision to reside in a long-term care setting can be a difficult one to make. The best scenario is one where all parties realistically evaluate both the current situation and how it may change in the short or long term future. Ideally, being proactive will help everyone arrive at a mutual decision that is the best solution. The first step in the planning process is having the conversation about a person’s long-term care wishes.
Two-thirds of seniors will need long-term care in their lives, yet few prepare financially for it. Most Americans believe – wrongly – that their care will be covered by Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Help today’s aging boomers protect their assets while preparing for quality care if they need it.