DeathCare (.com)

Long-term care refers to a broad range of medical and personal services designed to assist individuals who have lost the ability to function independently. While the need for long-term care often refers to individuals with chronic disabilities or physical or mental impairments, long-term care also applies to individuals who are at the end of life transition.

Few individuals think about long-term care when healthy, as this subject usually lands at the end of the list of things to do for the day. But, when accidents occur, or when someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, long-term care often becomes a subject that is addressed. Many times, an attending doctor or a family member will broach the subject, especially when care for an individual becomes overwhelming.

The choice of a long-term care option often depends upon whether the stricken individual carries long-term care insurance (LTCI). Some insurance policies focus specifically on long-term care, while others may subsidize only certain forms of long-term care. In the latter case, it is important to understand the levels of care available:

• Skilled care: This is round-the-clock care designed to treat a medical condition. Often, a treatment plan is established and ordered by a physician and performed by accomplished medical personnel.
• Intermediate Care: Often, a physician will order this type of care as well, and a plan where registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurses’ aides carry out the doctor’s orders.
• Custodial Care: This type of care can be carried out by someone who lacks professional medical skills, but who is trained and supervised by a physician or by an organization that specializes in care such as bathing, eating and dressing.

Note that the terms above may be defined differently by Medicare.

An individual can receive long-term care in a nursing home, through a hospice, through home-care options, an adult day-care center or through respite care. Of all these options, the nursing home and hospice care are designed to care for terminally ill patients. With that said, hospice care can be provided in the home. This is especially comforting for those who wish to die in their homes, surrounded by familiar objects and friends and family.

Hospice care is varied, and can include a medical plan designed by a physician or simple care for everyday activities. Home health care often is provided by a visiting or traveling nurse, a therapist or a home health aide. The visit times can range from all-day or all-night care to several visits to the home each week. The visit frequency will depend upon the care required. Once a plan is in place, professionals can help arrange for services, monitor care, and periodically help re-evaluate the plan and make adjustments based upon the client’s personal preferences and needs.

Hospices also treat individuals outside the home in special facilities and even through a local hospital program. Sometimes, family members may need a respite from caring for an elderly or terminally ill family member, and hospices also can provide this service. They may offer temporary care for an individual so family members can take some time off for their own needs.

The individual’s choice of long-term care often depends upon financial and insurance issues, the number of family members who can agree to help provide care, and the options available to the patient. In some cases, the long-term care options are limited; however, some research about long-term care before it is ever needed can open up more possibilities when it’s needed. Some programs, such as the Federal Long Term Care Insurance program (FLTCIP) can help with understanding long-term care and possibilities provided by the U.S. Government.