Thinking about long-term care is something that we all have a tendency to avoid. The thought of losing any degree of our independence is not a reality we are quick to entertain. First of all, it is difficult to plan for the things in life that are appealing to us, like retirement or travelling with family and friends. But to strategize for situations and circumstances that we have an aversion to is even harder.
The main thing to keep in mind is the fact that we are all aging. No one really knows what the future will hold and if any of their plans, whether pleasing or disagreeable, will come to fruition. However, it is important to be prepared for every possibility as much as you possibly can.
If you're already considering long-term care options for yourself or a loved one, go ahead and start the discussion! It’s never too early. If you wait until an injury or illness, you might find yourself under pressure to make a hasty decision that everyone may later regret. Getting to know your long-term care options takes time. Start now by having open and honest discussions with your family or loved one.
Keep in mind that long-term care has a variety of degrees. It ranges from scheduled help, sitter services, or Home Health within the home to assisted care within an Assisted Living facility to 24-hour total care in a Skilled Nursing facility or nursing home. The goal of long-term care is to help you maintain as much independence as possible without compromising safety. In addition, knowing that someone's there to help when you need it can relieve stress.
The next few series of BLOGS will deal with tips on how to plan well for your care in the future. We hope that the information on this page will be a benefit to you as you maneuver through many health care options and make your own choices about future care for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.