Seniors have options other than nursing homes for long-term care

May 01, 2013

Seniors have options other than nursing homes for long-term care

Article provided by Sikov and Love, P.A.
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As healthcare and nutrition have improved over the last few decades, the average American is living longer as a result. Although this is a positive thing, it raises many issues regarding elder care in the later years. Currently, about 10 million seniors rely on family members or others for care. However, this number will undoubtedly increase in the next decade. According to the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute, about 70 percent of people will need a form of long-term care after they turn 65.

Long-term care provides medical and non-medical care to people who have a disability or persistent illness. Most of this type of care consists of assisting people with the daily activities of life such as bathing, dressing and other regular events.

Fortunately, long-term care does not necessarily mean confinement in a nursing home. In fact, only about 5 percent of seniors will need to stay in a nursing home for five years or more. Long-term care for the majority of seniors includes short-term hospitalization combined with in-home care.

When planning long-term care for yourself or a loved one, it is important to be aware of your options. In addition to nursing home care, some long-term care options are:
-Home care: This is ideal for people who do not require intensive medical care, but need assistance with housekeeping, bathing, dressing, medications, transportation or cooking. These services are typically provided by someone who visits the home several times per week. In addition to in-home care, seniors can receive similar services by renting an apartment in a specialized assisted living complex.
-Adult day care: In this type of arrangement, the senior visits an adult day care center where he or she takes meals and participates in recreational activities with other seniors. This type of care is ideal for healthy seniors who are bored or who wish to give their caregivers a break.
-Medical alerts: An inexpensive option for seniors who are relatively healthy and wish to remain in their home is to subscribe to a medical alert service. The senior wears a necklace or wristband equipped with an emergency button that will alert a dispatcher in case of trouble. The dispatcher can call a family member, neighbor or emergency services, as appropriate for the situation.

Planning is important

Although most seniors prefer to receive their long-term care outside of a nursing home, many such options are very expensive, and are becoming more so each year. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover most types of long-term care outside of a nursing home.

For this reason, it is important to plan for long-term care well before it is needed. For some, purchasing long-term care insurance may be a good option. Others may want to arrange their estate plan in such a way that their assets are protected against the high cost of long-term care in order to maintain their standard of living.

If you have not included provisions for long-term care in your estate plan, contact an experienced elder law attorney to review your options and ensure that your interests are protected.