LONG TERM CARE – The Prospects Of Long Term CareLong-term care is a decision that most of us will have to face someday. Perhaps that decision will come in the form of how to best provide for the needs of a loved one. Or, it may come in the form of the realization of our own aging process and an accompanying reassessment of lifestyle changes that need to be made in order to provide for those changes. However, the prospect of long term care can and does apply to more than care of the elderly as, no matter what the age, it additionally applies to providing proper care for anyone with a chronic illness or disability. Whatever the reason that is cause for you to presently be seeking for information on long term care, the best place to start is with an overview of the available choices such as: Community-Based Services, Home Health Care, In-Law Apartments, Housing for Aging and Disabled Individuals, Board and Care Homes, Assisted Living. Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Nursing Homes Starting with community-based services, if this is a viable choice for the level of support required, each community may offer differing services. Therefore, one needs to check on what specific services are available in their community. Unfortunately, with community based services much depends on demographics and budget. For those living in rural areas this option may not be at all available, which is precisely the reason why so many seniors, relocate to those communities that provide the highest level of community based services. You will need to check on your communities resources to see if the following are available…... Adult day care services provide health, social, and recreational activities for adults who have functional and/or cognitive impairments that do not need 24-hour care. Senior centers provide varying degrees of services. The services provided are either free or at low cost and may include nutrition, recreation, social and educational services, wellness and fitness activities, information and program referral services, and Internet training. Meals On Wheels is just what it says. Meals are delivered directly to the residence of someone who lacks any degree of mobility that causes them to not be able to properly provide for their own nutritional needs. · Transportation services are available in many communities through aging services programs, regional mass transportation systems, and private sources. These services may include door-to-door taxicab services, public bus transportation, or vans with wheelchair accessible transportation. Telephone reassurance checks on an individual on a regular basis. In a number of communities, this service is provided by a state or local aging organization. Alternatively, a friend, relative, or neighbor may agree to make a daily call at a set time. If the phone is not answered, or the caller detected a change in condition by voice tone, the caller would take appropriate action. If neither a local agency or friend, relative, or neighbor is available, then a private Commercial emergency response system may be.. These services require that you that beeper be worn on the wrist or around your neck that, with the press of a button, would alert the 24-hour response system. This system require an initial fee and a monthly fee of anywhere between $25 to $40. A more in depth discussion on Long term care is available under the titles listed in the pane on the right hand side of this page. |