When you are facing a life transition, such as retirement or any health issues that require long-term care, it can be difficult to know where to turn. There are many options out there for housing and other assistance to meet your needs, but knowing what those options are will help you decide which long-term senior care option is best for you. Whether you’re looking for a long-term care option for yourself or your family member, this post will provide you with the necessary information that can guide you in choosing a long-term care option.
Let’s start by understanding a little more about long-term care and why you should consider a long-term care option.
What Is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care involves a wide range of services created to meet the personal care and health care needs of a person over a long period. These care services help to improve the quality of life of people who need care and support when performing their daily activities. Long-term care services can be carried out in various settings, including; homes, communities, nursing homes, and others. It can be carried out by paid professionals (nurses and caregivers) or unpaid people (family members, friends, or volunteers)
When Should You Consider Long-Term Care?
Due to life’s inevitable transition, such as old age and other eventualities like medical conditions and disabilities, the need for long-term care is essential. According to recent findings, about 70% of adults above 65 years will need care services to have a quality life as they age. Therefore, it is important to consider long-term care services when you need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, shopping, walking, eating, and others.
Categories Of People That Need Long-term Care
There are many different categories of people who may need long-term care. The elderly are the largest group, accounting for about two-thirds of all Americans. However, many other groups also need long-term care:
- People living with disabilities such as loss of sight, mobility difficulties, cognitive impairments, and others.
- People recovering from an injury or illness.
- People with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cancer.
- People with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Long-Term Care Options
In-home health care
In-home health care is a great alternative to long-term care in nursing homes. It is suitable for anyone that doesn’t want to forfeit the comfort of their homes; it allows you to receive professional care services in the comfort of your home. In this type of long-term care option, a trained caregiver will visit your home daily or weekly, depending on your care needs. In-home care is also suitable for a person that needs 24/7 care; in a case like this, caregivers will run daily shifts at your home to adequately cater to your needs.
In-home caregivers can provide much more than just physical assistance and medical assistance; they can also help with daily tasks such as cooking meals, laundry, housekeeping chores, shopping, transportation services, and more.
Assisted Living Facility
Assisted living facilities are great for older adults who need to have people around for more companionship and also need help with daily activities. In this setting, each senior will have their apartments and have access to basic home amenities such as bathrooms and kitchens. Assisted living facilities offer a range of services, including meals, housekeeping, medication management, and social activities. However, you should take note that assisted living facilities are not suitable for someone who requires round-the-clock medical attention. Also, keep in mind that the cost of assisted living varies widely by location and facility.
Nursing home care
A nursing home is most suitable for a person who requires adequate monitoring and high-level medical attention. It’s suitable for elders living with chronic medical conditions. One major difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities is that nursing homes are more institutionalized because they offer a hospital-level type of medical care.
Nursing homes offer everything that seniors need to have a comfortable stay. Seniors have access to three meals a day, physical therapy, rehabilitation programs, and other daily needs. Most nursing home residents live in these facilities for a long time, make new friends, and enjoy a quality life.
Community-based Services
Community-based services are offered by non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other organizations that operate in the community. These programs include adult day care centers, senior centers, disability resource centers, and meal programs. Seniors will have access to meals, caregiving services, assistance with daily activities, and others.
In conclusion, there are several options for long-term care services that you can choose from. However, it’s important to consider your medical care needs, physical needs, and health insurance plan before choosing a preferred option.
