November is Long-Term Care (LTC) Awareness Month. It began to highlight LTC services to the public and encourage legislative action for additional funding. It also serves as a reminder to learn about the importance of planning for long-term care and to encourage conversations about doing so.
Why LTC Awareness Matters
Many individuals are connected to long-term care, either through relatives or friends. Long-term care supports everyday care needs as well as medical care.
LTC includes nursing homes, assisted living, adult day care, hospice, and other facilities. There’s a growing need for LTC – the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that more than half of Americans turning 65 this year will need long-term care services in the future.
Strategies to Improve Long-Term Care
Creating a better environment for long-term care residents is one of the most important ways to improve long-term care. Ensure that residents are safe from abuse, neglect, unnecessary restraint, and discrimination. Create an environment where residents can live with dignity and freedom of movement.
Prioritizing resident well-being is also a requirement for Medicare and Medicaid certification and reimbursement. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides quality measures for long-term care facilities to follow.
Boost retention and job satisfaction by celebrating and supporting workers. Create a positive and supportive culture with a consistent schedule. Provide competitive pay and opportunities for staff members to develop their careers.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
