“Long-term care” describes the help needed by people who have problems living independently because of chronic medical problems or severe disabilities. These individuals may have very specific needs, and creating an effective long-term care plan can be challenging. This quick guide helps families and retirees plan for long-term care in an effective manner while meeting their unique goals and priorities.
Defining Long-Term Care
Before you build your long-term care plan, it is important to understand what this concept actually means. According to the National Institute on Aging, long-term care may be necessary if patients can no longer carry out normal, daily activities on their own. Note that this does not necessarily apply only to elderly individuals, as disabled people may also require long-term care regardless of their age.
That being said, most families begin to plan long-term care after their elderly relatives have reached a certain state of decline. These families often take it upon themselves to provide long-term care without incurring additional costs through medical treatments and services. Financial limitations may prevent certain families from taking advantage of services typically associated with long-term care. These might include:
- Nursing homes
- Adult daycare centers
- Personal care
- Meal prep and delivery
- Senior transportation
Who Should Create a Long-Term Care Plan?
It may not be viable to create your own long-term care plan once you have reached a certain level of decline. If you have trouble with daily tasks like dressing, grooming, and meal prep, you are unlikely to have the ability to create a detailed long-term care plan.
Therefore, most people who create long-term care plans fall into two categories:
- Concerned family members
- Healthy seniors who want to plan for the future
Creating a long-term care plan before you lose the ability to carry out basic tasks is a smart move in the context of estate planning.
According to the National Institute on Aging, those who require long-term care often exhibit the following characteristics:
- Elderly
- Female
- Single
- Poor Diet
- Inadequate Exercise
- Genetic History
To clarify, females are more likely to need long-term care simply because they live longer. Men are less likely to need long-term care because they tend to pass away before they actually need it. Genetic issues, such as dementia, can also increase the need for long-term care.
How to Create an Effective Long-Term Care Plan
The best long-term care plans are highly personalized. Different seniors may need drastically different services and treatments based on their unique requirements. For example, one senior might have trouble preparing food, but they still might have the ability to drive. Another senior’s declining vision may make it impossible for them to drive, but they still might retain the ability to dress themselves without assistance. Other seniors may suffer from serious cognitive decline, requiring assistance with almost all daily tasks.
- How Much Assistance Can You Realistically Provide?
Family caregivers should consider how much assistance they can realistically provide. It does not make sense to sacrifice your career to become a full-time caregiver, as this will only make it more challenging to cover your senior’s medical expenses in the future. In addition, you may miss out on valuable moments with your own family, especially if you have young children.
Although some long-term care options may seem expensive, take the time to sit down and run the numbers. You may actually end up losing more money if you quit your job to become a full-time caregiver. Losing your income can lead to financial ruin, whereas even the most expensive nursing homes can allow you to continue with your career.
You should also consider the physical distance between your home and that of your senior. If you spend hours on the road each day driving back and forth to your senior’s residence, you should consider both the financial and emotional effects. Factor in the cost of gas and the amount of time you will lose with your own family. If your senior lives in another state, long-term care options may be necessary.
- Consider the Value of Preventative Care
Families should prioritize preventative treatment when creating long-term care plans. The sooner you get started with an effective care plan, the better. This is because by improving your senior’s diet or exercise plans, you can reduce the chances of serious health consequences in the future. Seniors are more likely to eat junk food and heavily processed items when they lose the ability to prepare their own meals. For example, a senior might start eating potato chips and candy bars not because they want to, but because they no longer have the ability to cook nutritious meals. Seniors may also experience faster declines due to the lack of exercise.
Although paying a service provider to deliver meals to your senior might seem like a financial burden, it is important to weigh these costs against potential future medical expenses. By ensuring a healthy diet for your senior, you can avoid expensive, serious medical conditions in the future. In the end, this may prove to be a worthwhile investment both in terms of overall health and your family’s financial well-being.
An adult day care center might also represent a financial burden, but it could provide your senior with opportunities to exercise in a safe, productive manner. This can help seniors maintain their health, potentially avoiding expensive medical treatments in the future.
- Is It Viable for Your Senior to Age in Place?
Lastly, you might want to ask yourself whether you can allow your senior to continue aging in place. Nursing homes represent a major cost for most families. By spending a little extra on home renovations, you might have the ability to let your senior age in place. For example, you might systematically eliminate fall hazards and install railings in their bathrooms. You might also install a smart home system, allowing them to work with AI to carry out a number of basic daily tasks. The cost of these improvements might be much lower than the fees associated with nursing homes.
Contact the Elderly Care Law Firm Today
Contact the Elderly Care Law Firm today to get started with an effective long-term care plan. While internet research can provide you with a basic foundation of knowledge, a consultation with a qualified, experienced elder law attorney may provide more detailed, personalized guidance based on your unique situation. Reach out today to discuss your long-term care plan further and explore further strategies.
