Long Term Care
What is Long Term Care?
Long term care can be a wide range of services for the elderly who require assistance
Whether it be assisted living for their health or personal care, on a long term basis, due to disability or chronic illness. Long term care can include services provided by health care professionals, such as skilled nursing care or an In home care staff of non-medical providers.
The majority of long term care consists of non-skilled assistance
This will generally include the activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing, transferring into and out of bed or chairs, using the toilet, grocery shopping, appointment management, medication management, general home care, and managing incontinence.
The purpose of long term care is to help an elderly or disabled person maintain as much function and independence as possible.
Or at least for as long as possible in the least restrictive environment possible; all while ensuring their safety, comfort, and well being in their own home.
Long Term In Home Care is often preferred choice, especially if if can be of a non-medical caregiver service, with minor assisted living needed.
This type of care or treatment leaves the patient with some independence and freedom, yet allows for a safe and comfortable environment at their home or with their families. With In Home Care or respite care like this, the family can better understand what is happening with their loved ones and have that extra sense of security themselves that the loved one is well taken care of and comfortable, as well as close by.
Long term care exists in many forms and can be provided in many different settings.
This is to meet the needs and personal preference of the patient or family member. Most long term care is not provided in nursing homes or other institutions, but rather in the patient’s own home or the home of a family member. Please check out our 9 Steps for Creating a Care Plan for Your Loved Ones guide for more help on how to understand specific needs.
Statistics show that the average senior citizen will require a total of 3 years of long term care.
Two-thirds of that type of care will be received while they are still living at home, and most of it will be provided by a family member. Additionally, unpaid family caregivers provide 80% of all in-home long term care in the US. This is quite a statistic considering. And, considering today’s ever changing times, many of these families need extra help or home care assistance.
So what can you do to help your elder or disabled family member with long term care?
Additional long term care assistance is available from a variety of community-based long term care programs, such as adult day care, transportation services, communal and home-delivered meals, caregiver services, and personal care aides provided by home care agencies. Since many of these services are government supported, they may be available for little or no cost, to persons who qualify for assistance.
Independent Choices can assist with an In Home Care option for your elderly family members or convalescent loved ones that may require this level of care or greater. Please contact us with any questions you may have at 661- 832-1751.
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