Approximately two out of every three Americans will need help with activities associated with daily living at some point in their lives. You can’t know whether you’ll need long-term care but planning ahead allows you to make important decisions.
An unexpected injury, accident, or illness can cause your needs to suddenly change. If you have Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairment, it’s especially important to begin planning for long-term care.
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care includes a variety of services to meet an individual’s health or personal care needs during a period of time. These services can help people live as independently and safely as possible when they are unable to perform everyday activities on their own.
Personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating, is the most common type of long-term care. There are numerous home-based long-term care services. Senior transportation services and emergency medical alert systems can help individuals in need of assistance stay independent.
Making a Plan
Consider what you would want to happen if you became seriously ill or injured. Who would provide care if you needed help for a long time? Talk with those people and learn about healthcare advance directives. Your doctor may have recommendations for actions you can take now to improve your health, such as quitting smoking or getting regular exercise.
If you are a caregiver, have this conversation with the person you care for. How can you help them stay healthy and independent? How will long-term care be paid for?
Taking time to make long-term care plans now makes it easier to implement those plans when they’re needed. The National Institute on Aging offers a variety of resources to help you make decisions, whether you want to get help to stay at home or plan to get long-term care outside of your home.
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.
