Do I Need a Nursing Home for Long-Term Care?
It goes without saying that as we become older, we start to require more help to live happy and healthy lives. Contrary to popular belief, long-term care does not necessarily mean being admitted to a nursing home. In addition to health treatments, long-term care also involves supportive and personal care services.
Long-term care services frequently enable the person to stay at home securely and for a lot longer. However, the process of long-term care planning might appear overwhelming, and because of this, there may be reluctance. 70% of persons who turn 65 can anticipate using long-term care at some point in their lives. (Department of Health & Human Services, United States)
The bulk of care for the elderly in the United States is given by family and friends. Only 15% of the support given to the elderly population is thought to be provided by long-term care services. The truth is that family caregivers find it difficult to strike a balance between daily lifestyle modifications and emotional hardships while providing care for their loved ones.
Negative consequences for caregivers can include missed personal time, decreased working hours, and strained interpersonal connections, all of which have an influence on their general well-being. Taking care of a loved one may be advantageous in many ways as well, given the proper conditions and assistance. Numerous factors, including cultural traditions, financial concerns, and a dearth of information, contribute to the underutilization of long-term care services.
So let’s examine the fundamentals of long-term care support and services. It is crucial to remember that while some of these services may be paid for by standard insurance or supplemental insurance, others will need out-of-pocket costs. There might be need-based assistance available through your local governmental agencies if you or a loved one needs services that are not covered.
Community-based and in-home care options include:
- Qualified home healthcare professionals
- Homemaking or personal care services
- Services for Transportation
- Delivery services for meals
- Prepackaged pharmaceutical services
- Social support from home visitors
- Adult daycare facilities
- Palliative medicine
- Hospice services
Services for assisted living may include:
- Living Independently Communities
- Senior Living Facilities
- Retirement Communities with Continuing Care
- Palliative medicine
- Hospice services
Services for medical residents may include:
- Subacute treatment
- Care in nursing homes
- Hospice inpatient care
Where should one start looking for these services, then?
The answer to that question will vary depending on where you are, but a good place to start is often the local government’s Area Agency on Aging, which is present in many communities. When seeking supportive services in your area, the local Department of Human Services may potentially be an option. Both of these alternatives can give you details and a list of potential services in your area, but it will still take some time to call around and identify service providers who you feel comfortable with.
To fill up the gaps and organize care and services on your behalf, many places offer Care Management businesses that can be hired. The support and resources are available to make sure that you or a loved one has what is necessary to live a happy, healthy, safe, and full life, no matter how you decide to go about getting the support you need.
If you are in the North Carolina area and are interested in finding out more about care for you or your aging loved one, CONTACT us here at Silverbell Homestead TODAY!