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Long Term Care
Long Term
Care includes a wide range of medical and support services for people with a
degenerative medical conditions such as a stroke, or a prolonged illness such
as cancer or cognitive disorder like Alzheimer's.
Long Term
Care is not necessarily medical care but rather "custodial care."
Custodial care involves providing an individual assistance with activities of
daily living or supervision of someone who is cognitively impaired.
To better
understand Long Term Care, think of the activities that you performed when you
woke up this morning. You probably:
·
Climb
out of bed
·
Walk
to the bathroom
·
Use
the toilet
·
Use
the bath or shower
·
Get
dressed
·
Eat
breakfast
Why is
there a need for Long Term Care?
Basically
people are living longer. Due to advances in modern medicine and life-style
changes, the number of people over the age of 65 is projected to double by the
year 2050. Each year the U.S. elderly population continues to grow. In fact,
the 80-plus segment represents the fastest growing segment of the population
(they virtually never existed before).
As
Americans take care of themselves through a healthy diet and exercise, they are
increasing their projected longevity. Unfortunately, as people age, they are
more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses such as strokes or Alzheimer's.
Statistically, Americans over the age of 65 face a 40% risk of entering a
nursing home for Long Term Care services.
Another
reason for the recent public focus on Long Term Care is the changes impacting
families. Years ago, most elderly depended upon their family to care for them
as they aged. Family members lived close by or even under the same roof.
Today, many
women are in the work force, children have moved away and divorce rates are
approaching 50%. All of these factors contribute to the inability of families
to meet the needs of their aging parents. Thus the elderly must rely on
professional assistance, which comes at a cost.
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