Long Term Care: Early Planning Pays Off
It's best to talk about long term care early — before the need for medical or personal care is imminent. Here's help understanding, choosing and financing long term care.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Long term care is a general term used to describe various home and community-based services for people who need help taking care of themselves. If you're considering long term care options for yourself, a parent or another loved one, start the research and discussions early. If you wait, an injury or illness might force your hand — leading to a hasty decision that everyone may later regret. Instead, get familiar with long term care options now.
Understanding types of long term care
Understanding the various levels of long term care can help you choose the type that's most appropriate for you or your loved one. For example:
- Home care. Personal or home health aides may help with bathing, dressing and other personal needs at home, as well as housekeeping, meals and shopping. Home health nurses provide basic medical care at home.
- Day program. Day programs for adults offer social interaction, meals and activities — often including exercise, games, field trips, art and music — for adults who don't need round-the-clock care. Some programs provide transportation to and from the care center as well as certain medical services, such as help taking medications or checking blood pressure.
- Senior housing. Many communities offer rental apartments intended for older adults. Some senior housing facilities offer meals, transportation, housekeeping and activities.
- Assisted living. Assisted living facilities offer staff members to help with medications, bathing, dressing and basic medical care — as well as meals, transportation, housekeeping and activities. Some assisted living facilities have on-site beauty shops and other amenities.
Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Naperville, Oswego and Aurora, IL.
