100 Cost-Effective Articles - Long-Term Care
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Choosing an Assisted Living/Residential Care Facility
When older persons can no longer live independently but do not require 24-hour-a-day skilled health care, the answer to the need for regular assistance with basic aspects of daily life (bathing, dressing, eating, housekeeping, and transportation) is often assisted living/residential care. The services, plus the security of living with others in a supervised setting, offer a viable alternative to in-home care for thousands of older Americans.
(484 words)
Long-Term Care Considerations for Women
Over one hundred years ago, men and women had very similar life expectancies—49 years in 1900. Today, as the longevity of Americans has increased overall by 20 years, women generally are expected to live five years longer than men. A newborn girl today has a life expectancy of approximately 80 years, compared to almost 75 years for a newborn boy (National Center for Health Statistics, 2005). Statistics, based on 2003 population data, reflect a similar disparity in today’s aging population—women represent 58% of the population age 65 and older. The figures increase dramatically for women ages 85 and older, who comprise 70% of this senior segment of the population (National Center for Health Statistics, 2005). Who will help these women when they require assistance?
(308 words)
How to Evaluate a Home Health Care Agency
Being cared for at home is an ideal situation for many elderly patients who need assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs). Remaining in a familiar environment, surrounded by the comforts of home, may provide psychological benefits that aid healing and promote longevity. The demand for home health aides is growing dramatically as the population ages. Not surprisingly, so is the number of agencies supplying personnel. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to compare the services of competing agencies, as well as evaluate the cost and quality of the care they provide.
(690 words)
Assessing Long-Term Care Needs
Is it simple memory loss or Alzheimer's disease? Is it simple depression or dementia? The early symptoms of cognitive changes are often subtle and far more difficult to assess than those associated with a physical illness or disability. As a result, it can be difficult to determine whether a friend or family member can live independently or whether it's time to seek long-term care services. Your answers to the questions posed in this article may determine whether the answer is continued independence or immediate intervention.
(498 words)
Baby Boomers—Preparing for the "Golden Years"
If you are a baby boomer, you are about to enter the next phase of life: retirement. America's largest generation is reshaping the definition of "golden years" by refusing to settle for the old standard of rest and relaxation. Many baby boomers plan to pursue an active lifestyle that includes part-time work, volunteerism, and adventure when they are free from the daily requirements of nine to five. However, will they be financially prepared for the years ahead? With the ongoing responsibility of family, and the potential need for long term care, will their futures be as bright as their pasts?
(678 words)
The Evolution of Assisted Living/Residential Care
Pioneering institutions across the country are emphasizing the "living" in assisted living/residential care facilities and focusing on personalized accommodations and services as they pursue the goal of greater client satisfaction. Common assisted living/residential care services may include such amenities as 24-hour emergency response services, three daily meals, personal care, transportation, housekeeping, and laundry services. However, an increasing number of assisted living/residential care facilities also aim to provide seniors with a living situation that caters to their active lifestyle. Adopting the motto "no two people are exactly alike," they are offering an ever increasing variety of choices in accommodations, activities, and personalized services.
(458 words)
Long-Term Care: The Financial Building Blocks
According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics (2000), baby boomers will begin to retire
in 2011. Many of this generation are currently in their peak earning years and are actively saving for retirement.
For them, preparing for the possibility of
long-term care has become an increasingly important aspect of building financial security. Another concern for many is the likelihood that the need for long-term care could arise before retirement as a result of an accident or illness. Could you pay for the cost of long-term care out-of-pocket if you suddenly required it?
(435 words)