A crippling and life-threatening disease
Long-term care is the broad range of personal, social, and medical services provided to people who are unable to perform basic activities of daily living.
Besides the elderly, those with chronic health conditions or a disability will probably require long-term assistance.
Long-term care is provided in different places by different caregivers, depending on a person's needs.
An alternative option is to employ a full-time live-in health care assistant. Duties usually include helping to clothe the individual, feeding them, providing transportation, and aiding them in their daily routine.
Most long-term care is provided at home by unpaid family members and friends. But the need for specialized long-term care will increase significantly for those aged 80 or over.
However, many senior citizens choose to outsource full-time, long-term care for the late stages of their lives. In this instance, help is provided in assisted living facilities or a nursing home.
Alternatively, care can be provided out in the community, for example at an adult day care center.
Long-term care of the needy can be provided by professional care workers in the individual's own home on a daily visit basis. They can check on your overall well-being and undertake general chores.
Assisted living communities give older adults or those with mobility issues personalized care in a residential setting.
Also known as residential care, assisted living facilities provide incumbents with full-time personal help, plus medical assistance, in a community environment.
While public areas in a residential care home are shared, for example in the dining hall and lounge, residents enjoy a degree of independence, housed as they are in their own private ensuite apartment, some equipped with kitchenette. TV and Wi-Fi access is standard.
Both nursing homes and residential care homes provide care and support 24 hours a day. Where a nursing home differs is that it's able to provide a higher degree of overall personal and medical management.
Nursing home residents typically live with more complex health care conditions. These needs are met by a skilled nurse and if necessary a physical or speech therapist.
Provisions at assisted living facilities usually include three nutritious meals a day. Services offered number life enrichment programs in individual or group settings.
By definition, nursing homes reflect a clinical environment, still welcoming but more functional. Medical management is more comprehensive. Recreational activities may be limited, or more targeted to individual needs.
Accommodation offered by nursing homes typically feature private or semiprivate rooms that don't include a lounge or kitchen.
Some nursing homes offer special programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. In fact, the biggest contributor to senior citizens requiring long-term care is Alzheimer's disease.
Round the clock care and monitoring can extend to those needing respiratory assistance.
Intensive nursing care and short-term post-acute care are also medical services provided by residential nursing homes.
On average, women are at higher risk than men in requiring assistance later in life, simply because they tend to live longer.
Age is the determining factor in whether or not a person requires long-term care. The need generally increases as people get older.
Elderly single people are more likely than older married couples to reach out for assistance from a professional care provider.
Poor diet and aversion to exercise decrease the odds of not having to seek long-term health care.
Overall health and family history may determine whether or not a person will need long-term care as they age.
Care assistants are on hand to provide help with additional personal priorities, things like grooming and using the toilet.
Friendly visitor and senior companion services are usually staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers who pay frequent short visits to someone who is frail or living alone. They engage in conversation and encourage light physical activity and mental stimulus.
Senior transportation services provide a means of getting the elderly and infirm out and about. Crucially, they help people get to and from medical appointments, shopping centers, and other places in the community.
Perhaps the best care the elderly can receive is from family and friends. Spending quality time with your elderly parents is priceless. Likewise, kids should treasure the moments with grandpa and grandma while they are still alive.
Sources: (National Institute on Aging) (American Health Care Association) (National Care Association) (Alzheimer's Association)
The need for long-term care can arise suddenly, out of an emergency such as a heart attack or stroke.
Long-term care is assistance provided to elderly adults who typically need help with everyday activities and health care services. This can be provided initially at home by a family member or health care professional. For the more frail, however, or those with debilitating illnesses, help is better furnished in assisted living facilities or a nursing home. Residents can expect 24-hour social and medical support in a community atmosphere, while at the same time enjoying a fair degree of independence. So, what options are out there for senior citizens in need of a bit of tender loving care?
Click through and find out who can help, and how.
Meeting the challenges of long-term care
The best options for those who need extra support as they age
HEALTH Health care
Long-term care is assistance provided to elderly adults who typically need help with everyday activities and health care services. This can be provided initially at home by a family member or health care professional. For the more frail, however, or those with debilitating illnesses, help is better furnished in assisted living facilities or a nursing home. Residents can expect 24-hour social and medical support in a community atmosphere, while at the same time enjoying a fair degree of independence. So, what options are out there for senior citizens in need of a bit of tender loving care?
Click through and find out who can help, and how.