If you have an elderly parent, spouse, or loved one, you are surely expecting for telltale signs of disability, or failing health that comes naturally sooner or later than 50s. Along with age-related disorders and frailty, the issue with independence becomes a concern and a determining factor on how likely your loved one will need care either at home or in an institution. And as your loved one increases age, this also adds burden on your shoulder of paying for long term care services.
Oftentimes, it is always a difficult decision for the rest of the family to move a loved one to a facility, and every one can’t easily adapt to this transition. Otherwise, if you conform to residential care setting, you will surely get overwhelmed with the tasks and responsibilities along the way. So the question is what could be the most appropriate setting for your loved one”at home or in a facility. This article will guide you in deciding which particular setting or care fits your loved one.
The Level of Care they require
Health care professionals can determine what level of care the patient needs to mitigate his or her health problems. Common senior health problems such as arthritis are usually treated and cared at home. It is only when the elderly becomes intensely ill the family would turn them to nursing care for assistance. Elders with chronic ailments and degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s or dementia require higher level of care to treat their condition. They must reside in long term care facilities, particularly nursing home, to have them monitored and cared for 24 hours. Other health requirements such as wound care, physical therapy, and injections would require help from a health care provider, and the right equipment is readily available among nursing care facilities. But if the person needs only some assistance with daily activities, such as bathing and dressing, and you can’t provide these things at home, then assisted living could be more suitable. Take note: there’s a thin line between nursing home care and assisted living you must be able to determine their differences. Make sure you have prepared a clear long term care plan to prevent last minute shopping for LTC facility.
Your financial strength
Now that you have determined which particular care best fits your loved, then the most challenging question you’ll face is How can I afford to pay those expenses? You must be financially prepared to send your loved one in a decent facility, or have him/her receive adequate care at home. Remember that nursing home rates are the most expensive, and you must have enough savings to afford the care. Otherwise, most people think that in-home care is the cheapest, but it could be also expensive if you don’t make most of the time of the care giver or home health aide. Most of all, don’t depend heavily on government programs, particularly Medicaid and Medicaid, because they won’t cover your parents care for longer period. You must have sufficient savings to prepare for any unwanted scenarios in the future.