Long Term Care Details

You can identify the real-world practice of long-term care in numerous places. The most common type is voluntarily provided at home by family members, partners, relatives, or friends. This type of long-term care usually involves non-specialized, everyday tasks such as bathing, eating, dressing, and moving around. Professionals may also give the service at nursing homes or adult daycare centers.

Long-term care also involves services that need a proper degree of expertise in certain fields. These services are usually related to medical conditions. Therapists, physicians, and nurses are some examples of specialized caregivers. Same as before, it is provided at home or a designated place in the community.

Some people need long-term care for various reasons. Mostly, however, the need gradually arises as they get older and, in turn, they get frailer and reach the point where it’s tough to do even basic tasks. Long-term care patients are individuals with a chronic illness or fatal accident. Depending on the situation, they may need to be taken care of in a short term or long term. Disability and continuing health issues can also be the reason, but long-term care is not strictly necessary for all of them.

Real-World Example of Long Term Care

Long-term care has always been a part of our society, especially in developed countries. Apart from nursing homes or other similar establishments, you might find long-term care facilities in your immediate surroundings. For instance, wheelchair ramp slopes found in public buildings can also classify as long-term care.

Statistically, the need for long-term care is growing as people live longer and become seniors. According to research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, four out of 10 U.S. citizens aged 65 or older will enter a nursing home sooner or later. Furthermore, in 2006, around nine million people in the U.S. needed long-term care and this figure is predicted to jump to around 27 million by 2050.

Significance of Long Term Care

If you think that you might need long-term care in the future, it’s wise to start preparing ahead of time. Granted, people can delay or even avoid needing long-term care by taking care of their bodies and strive for independence. If that’s what you are going for, consider making regular medical appointments with your doctor so that he or she can suggest solutions for your health problems.

If you or your close one is someone with a chronic disease, like Alzheimer’s, it’s best to start planning for long-term care. It entails recognizing the services available in your area as well as the cost of such a service. Otherwise, relying on voluntary help from family members is also an option. However, if possible, making your home a safer and easier place to live in to promote independence is always recommended.

No matter what you choose, remember that living a healthy life can go a long way. Balancing nutrition intake, simple but continuous exercise, and avoiding alcohol can keep your body healthy.

Types of Long Term Care

Long-term care is, in itself, can come in a lot of forms. We can categorize many types of service as one, including:

Homemaker/personal care service

Homemaker services provide help with the daily activity of the patient such as household chores. They may help with preparing meals, cleaning, and even using the toilet. Since homemaking doesn’t require a high-level skill to master, homemaker providers don’t have to get permission from a governmental health institution to give the service.

Home Health Care

Providers offer this type of service to patients with certain conditions. Moreover, it needs to be monitored and scheduled properly. Patients who require this service usually are people who are recovering from illness, surgery, or accident. In some cases, providers may also offer emergency medical services. Users often wear a special bracelet to automatically alert the system by pushing the button attached to it.

In the U.S., providers of home health care need Medicare's approval, the national health insurance program for senior citizens.

Transportation service

Transportation can also be one aspect that patients need help with. Daycare centers and nursing homes usually have transportation services. The service is essential for people who wish to go to medical appointments, shopping centers, or any other place. Your local government may also equip public transportation facilities with functions for people with disabilities.