Page One: An Introduction to Long Term Care
What exactly is long-term care?
Most people think of nursing homes when they think of 'long term care', and while nursing homes certainly are long term care facilities, there are other aspects you should be aware of when you consider insurance.
Beyond nursing homes, there is a range of services available in the community to help meet long-term care needs. Visiting nurses, home health aides, friendly visitor programs, home-delivered meals, chore services, adult daycare centers, and respite services for caregivers who need a break from daily responsibilities can supplement care given by family members.
Long-term care goes beyond medical care and nursing care to include all the assistance you could need if you ever have a chronic illness or disability that leaves you unable to care for yourself for an extended period of time.
Though older people use the most long-term care services, a young or middle-aged person who has been in an accident or suffered a debilitating illness can also need long-term care.
This is clearly one of those cases where if you say "it won't happen to me" you'll be betting against the odds.
Though older people use the most long-term care services, a young or middle-aged person who has been in an accident or suffered a debilitating illness can also need long-term care.
This is clearly one of those cases where if you say "it won't happen to me" you'll be betting against the odds.
Will I need long term care someday? The unpleasant statistics.
You may never need long-term care, but statistics show that more than 50% of us will. In 2005, about nine million people will need log term care. And by 2020, the number will grow to over 12 million older Americans.Chances are, you will be cared for at home; family members and friends are the most common caregivers for most elderly people. But a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that people age 65 face at least a 40 percent lifetime risk of entering a nursing home. Ask yourself: is there someone in my family who would provide for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
See more statistics about your chances of needing long term care.
How to find Long Term Care help in your community.
These services are becoming more widely available. Your local Area Agency on Aging or Office on Aging can help you locate the services you need. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-l 116 to identify your local office.Related web pages
Consumer information about what to expect in long term care
More in this Plain Talk I Need To Know series
(Home) Plain Talk about Long Term Care Insurance
What is Long Term Care?
Will you need long term care, and what are the chances?
How Much Does Long Term Care Cost?
What is Insurance for Long Term care?
Where Do I Buy Long Term Care Insurance?
How Much Does Long Term Care Insurance Cost?
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