Long-term health care, also referred to as chronic care, involves a variety of services that include providing assistance to those with disabilities or illnesses of a chronic nature. A person may need only moderate assistance, or he or she may be completely incapacitated. Such circumstances can affect people of all ages, but many individuals who require help of this type are elderly.
By 2014, it is predicted that over 12 million older Americans will require the aforementioned assistance. For this reason, advance planning is imperative if it appears that one will eventually need help of this type. Discussing long-term healthcare plans with one's family is always a wise course of action for any individual, especially senior citizens. This way, the person's wishes will be carried out when and if he or she becomes disabled or incapacitated.
Services of this kind are sometimes necessary even if the person still resides at home. Home health aides, volunteers, or services from both avenues may allow an individual to keep his or her independence longer than if the person had no assistance at all. In other cases, the patient has no alternative but to enter a long-term care facility.
Adult day care is an option for certain individuals with disabilities or diseases that make it dangerous for them to stay at home unsupervised. As its name implies, when one enrolls in adult day care, he or she is supervised throughout the day, but can return to his or her dwelling when other individuals are present to provide assistance when required. Such organizations usually only take a low number of clients at one time, and therefore each individual has an adequate amount of supervision.
Group homes or residential establishments are additional alternatives one has when living independently is no longer realistic. Those who live at such homes are usually offered assistance with daily living activities, and the administration of medications, although the latter is only available if a nurse is employed by the home. A 24-hour staff is available to assist residents of such establishments.
Another similar option is an assisted living facility. Such establishments offer personal help around the clock as well; however, it is provided on a limited basis. Those living in the home must be able to walk without assistance in order to reside there permanently.
The most appropriate choice for individuals who cannot live in one of the aforementioned communities safely is a skilled nursing facility. Also referred to as a nursing home, an establishment of this type offers a broad range of medical services, including various treatments and medication administration. Registered nurses are on staff continuously, and those living there are given the option of participating in group activities if their situation allows.
Regarding payment for services of this type, clients have various alternatives in most instances. For example, if the person has reached the appropriate age, he or she may qualify for Medicare. The person may also have a medical insurance policy that includes long-term care benefits. In some instances, services of this kind are paid for by the patient's family, which is referred to as private-pay. Those in need of chronic care should consider all their alternatives before a final decision is made.
By 2014, it is predicted that over 12 million older Americans will require the aforementioned assistance. For this reason, advance planning is imperative if it appears that one will eventually need help of this type. Discussing long-term healthcare plans with one's family is always a wise course of action for any individual, especially senior citizens. This way, the person's wishes will be carried out when and if he or she becomes disabled or incapacitated.
Services of this kind are sometimes necessary even if the person still resides at home. Home health aides, volunteers, or services from both avenues may allow an individual to keep his or her independence longer than if the person had no assistance at all. In other cases, the patient has no alternative but to enter a long-term care facility.
Adult day care is an option for certain individuals with disabilities or diseases that make it dangerous for them to stay at home unsupervised. As its name implies, when one enrolls in adult day care, he or she is supervised throughout the day, but can return to his or her dwelling when other individuals are present to provide assistance when required. Such organizations usually only take a low number of clients at one time, and therefore each individual has an adequate amount of supervision.
Group homes or residential establishments are additional alternatives one has when living independently is no longer realistic. Those who live at such homes are usually offered assistance with daily living activities, and the administration of medications, although the latter is only available if a nurse is employed by the home. A 24-hour staff is available to assist residents of such establishments.
Another similar option is an assisted living facility. Such establishments offer personal help around the clock as well; however, it is provided on a limited basis. Those living in the home must be able to walk without assistance in order to reside there permanently.
The most appropriate choice for individuals who cannot live in one of the aforementioned communities safely is a skilled nursing facility. Also referred to as a nursing home, an establishment of this type offers a broad range of medical services, including various treatments and medication administration. Registered nurses are on staff continuously, and those living there are given the option of participating in group activities if their situation allows.
Regarding payment for services of this type, clients have various alternatives in most instances. For example, if the person has reached the appropriate age, he or she may qualify for Medicare. The person may also have a medical insurance policy that includes long-term care benefits. In some instances, services of this kind are paid for by the patient's family, which is referred to as private-pay. Those in need of chronic care should consider all their alternatives before a final decision is made.
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