Long Term Care
WHAT IS IT?

When you need help with the activities of daily living such as continence, dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, and transferring is known as long term care.

Cognitive impairment such as Alzheimers is also included. (You might be capable of doing the activities of daily living, but forget to turn the stove off or forget where you live). Long term care insurance can help with alternatives so that you can live with dignity should the unfortunate occur.

The type of care described above, ADL's, (activities of daily living) are often referred to as non-skilled or custodial care. They can be the result of physical injury, illness, old age or mental impairment.

Long term care can be received in the following areas:

Nursing Home - Offers 24-hour care. There are optional private rooms but the semiprivate rooms are the majority. Nursing homes are required to have at least one registered nurse on duty.

Home Health Care - A home health care provider visits your home for a few hours or up to 24 hours per day to help with the activities of daily living.

Assisted Living - Assisted living facilities are for people who need minor assistance with the activities of daily living. These facilities are an alternative to a nursing home and provide many activities for the residents. Residents have their own apartment settings.

Adult Day Care - These facilities are for people whom have caregivers at home. Adult day care provides a place where people can be cared for while the primary caregiver goes to work or needs to attend to personal matters. This option also helps to keep you out of a nursing home.