Things to Consider About Long-Term Care

Long-term care involves a variety of services designed to meet a person's health or personal care needs during a short or long period of time. When people can no longer perform everyday activities on their own, these services can help them live as independently and safely as possible.

Helping with everyday activities is the most common type of long-term care.  These activities include bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating, and moving around.  Some individuals may need assistance just getting up and out of bed or into a chair

Long-term care also includes community services such as meals, adult day care, and transportation services. These services are sometimes provided through the community at no cost but often are not free.

People usually need long-term care when they have a serious, ongoing health condition or disability. This can occur suddenly, such as after a heart attack or stroke or some type of accident. Most often, it happens with age, as people become frail.

Since it is difficult to predict how much or what type of long-term care a person might need, there are several things to take into consideration.  The risk definitely increases as you age.  Since women tend to live longer, they are at a higher risk.  Single people tend to need care without another to assist them.  Poor lifestyle habits as well as your family health history play a role in this risk.

Most people prefer to stay at home and live as independently as possible.  For this to happen, home-based long-term care will need to include health, personal, and support.   Most long-term care is provided either in the person’s own residence or most likely at a family member's home.  

Personal care includes help with bathing, dressing, and taking medications, and overall supervision to make sure the individual is safe. Most people first try to use unpaid care which involves family members, spouses, friends, and neighbors to provide most of this type of care.

Home-based long-term care services can also be provided by paid caregivers.  Sometimes these caregivers are found through a referral or word of mouth but may be healthcare professionals such as nurses, home health care aides, therapists but not limited to homemakers and retirees.

Transportation services help people get to and from medical appointments, shopping centers, and other places in the community. Some senior housing complexes and community groups offer transportation services. Many public transit agencies have services for people with disabilities. Some services are free. Others charge a fee.

Emergency response systems automatically respond to medical and other emergencies via electronic monitors. The user wears a necklace or bracelet with a button to push in an emergency. Pushing the button immediately contacts emergency help to the person’s residence. This type of service is especially useful for people who live alone or are a risk fall risk.  There is a monthly fee for this service.

Most people still mistakenly associate long-term care and long-term care insurance with nursing homes.  In fact, just the opposite is true.

Many people buy long-term care insurance just so they can receive care in their own home.  If that's something you'd value, now is the time to start the process.  Call Plan IV at 248-689-4910 or reach out to use on the contact form on our website to find out whether you can qualify for long-term care insurance and what coverage costs.

To learn more about long-term care, watch the video below.