What Is Long Term Care?

An individual needing assistance with physical or emotional needs over an extended period of time is defined as needing long term care. Typically this is due to a terminal illness, disability, sickness, injury or old age. Help is needed in the areas that a normal, healthy individual takes for granted.

The areas they need help with can include personal things such as bathing, dressing, or eating. If the individual remains at home help might be needed with household chores, yard work or laundry. Often individuals needing long term care are no longer able to drive and need transportation for doctor visits, to purchase groceries, or run errands. Sometimes it is difficult for these individuals to read or write and they require assistance with bill paying, letter writing or managing their personal affairs. Depending upon the illness, they might also require medical treatment, nursing visits or therapy.

The experts estimate that 60 percent of U.S. citizens will need long term care at some point in their life. According to the latest census bureau figures, 22 percent of individuals over the age of 65 are receiving long term care treatment. Thirteen percent are receiving care through the community with an average stay of two and one half to three years. Twenty percent are confined to nursing homes with an average stay of a little over two years. If there’s a choice, most individuals prefer to remain at home. Sixty seven percent are receiving home care services averaging between three and five years.

With these odds, its important for everyone to know more about long term care options. Even if you never need this type of care yourself, its very likely that someone you know personally will. Its estimated that fifty percent of baby boomers will be caring for an elderly parent in the next ten years. In my next blog, Ill explain custodial care and skilled care.

Margaret Norton, a Personal Life Coach/Writer/Speaker, resides in St. Peters, Missouri.

(photo credit: ccdoh1)

April 7th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Long Term Care | (1)