What You May Not Know About Long-Term Care

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Monday, January 29, 2018 - 11:00am

Carol Marak

Do you know about the need for long-term care? Do you know what "tasks" determine your need for it? Research says many older adults believe they will never need long-term care but the reality is 70% of us will need it for at least 2 years. Read about the misconceptions about long-term care needs at Seniorcare.com.

Start with the paperwork. Begin talking about financial concerns and your preferences about how you want resources managed in the event you are unable to make decisions.

Living Will - your wishes about medical treatment if you become incompetent.
Durable Power of Attorney (POA) - specifies who will be in charge of your elders' affairs if you become incompetent.
Advance Directive - declares your preferences for end of life care.
Will - distribution of the estate after death.

As we grow older, the need for long-term care increases because 52 percent of the 65 plus group will develop a severe disability at some point. Here's the actual breakout of services used for care.

86% will use an informal caregiver
61% will use home healthcare
51% will use nursing home services
19% will use assisted living

The need for care starts with the notion of needing help to perform activities of daily living which includes, bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking, transportation, using the toilet.

You have options to receive services in nursing homes, home care, adult day care programs, residential facilities, such as assisted living or board and care homes. But the trend shifts from institutional care to home and community-based services.