Long Term Care Plan at Home
In the past, I’ve talked about long-term care insurance policies and their role in planning your long-term care needs and plans.
Discussing long-term care and insurance policies is not the most pleasant dinner conversation. But, the time to have the hard conversations is when you can evaluate your options and not be in the middle of a family emergency.
In case something happens, it is also essential to determine where you or a family member will want to receive care and who will provide it. Most people prefer to stay in their homes for as long as possible. When planning to receive long-term care in the house, there are several things that you and your family need to consider, including:
- The condition of the home
- Whether it can be modified, if necessary, to accommodate a wheelchair or other devices/equipment.
- The availability of long-term care services in your areas, such as adult day care or nearby medical facilities
- Access to home health care from a licensed agency or licensed professional
- How “aging-friendly” is your community—does it offer public transportation, home-delivered meals, and other needed services?
Long-term care services and support typically come from:
- An unpaid caregiver who may be a family member or friend
- A nurse, home health or home care aide, and/or therapist who comes to the home
- Adult day services in the area
Family members often take on the responsibility of caring for a loved one and managing professional care. Care from a family member is not usually the planned option but rather the result of a sudden need and lack of financial resources to pay for professional help. Therefore, we always encourage families to discuss the path that will be best for their family and whether or not insurance to cover long-term care at home or in a facility makes sense for them.
If you are unsure of the questions to ask, call us, and let’s talk about a long-term plan that will work for you and your family and the available options. Remember, we are here to help!
