1. What is Long Term Care?
By definition Long-Term Care refers to a time
when you need help with every day living activities such as bathing, walking,
transferring, toileting or doing other tasks. This could be due to an accident,
an illness, or simply the onset of old age. LTC covers a broad spectrum of care
ranging from medical, personal and social services and can be provided in the
comfort of you own home, in an adult day care facility, in an assisted living
facility or in a nursing home.
2. Is Long Term Care only
available in a nursing home setting?
Definitely not. Many alternatives exist today
including Assisted Living Facilities; Alzheimer's care units, Adult day care
facilities, your home, or a home of a friend or family member.
The pros and cons of assistance in the comfort
of your home!
Most of us assume that our spouse or another
family member will be able to take care of us should we need assistance with our
everyday living activities, and therefore we do not need long term care
insurance. But consider this:
- Will your spouse physically be able to lift
you out of bed, bathe you, and carry you to the rest room?
- Will your spouse be able to endure the
emotional stress of doing "everything" for you; i.e., cleaning,
cooking, shopping, handling all the household chores as well as providing
ALL of the personal care you require? If they are able to do so, is this
what you really want them to do?
- Wouldn't it be better to have someone there
to help?
- Wouldn't it be better to have the freedom to
choose?
3. Who provides the care if
I become ill?
Typically, 80% is provided at home, with family
and friends providing 90% of the care. Nursing homes provide only 20% of
long-term care. One in two people over the age of 65 will spend some time in a
nursing home.*
*UNUM, Planning for the Time of Your Life, 1995
