Provided By: Robert Stolz, Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company
When independence becomes difficult because of age or chronic illness, people get to a point when they need additional assistance. Depending upon the level of assistance required, care might be administered at home, through a community provided service or within a care-giving facility.
In some more rural areas, there may be only one or two kinds of long-term care choices. Most areas, however, have multiple options and can provide a broad range of services available to individuals who have lost some level of independence and need help with daily activities that most healthy people take for granted. Your local area agency on aging coordinates a comprehensive range of services to promote the independence and dignity of older adults. This organization would be a good place to start to learn what options are available and how to access services that include in-home supportive services, nutrition services, transportation, elder rights and protection assistance, and caregiver support services.
When determining the appropriate care plan, keep in mind that most people wish to remain in their home because it is familiar and probably the most comfortable. A home care arrangement also promotes emotional well-being for the entire family. The most common providers of home care are family and friends. However, their assistance is not always available 24 hours a day. When extensive care is required, the family may decide to hire third-party home health care providers.
Home health care providers can be divided into two main categories, and are typically provided through home health care agencies, or by qualified and independent care providers.
Some examples include:
- Professional Home Health Care Providers – registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech therapists, or
- Personal Home Health Care Providers – licensed social workers and nurses’ aides.
To assist those families whose adult children work during the day, and may be unable to provide ongoing care, adult day care facilities (also known as adult day health care facilities, adult day care centers, and adult day health care facilities in Washington) may be a practical alternative. Designed to promote social interaction while meeting the health care needs of long-term care recipients, adult day care offers caregivers the time necessary to meet their own day-to-day responsibilities at home and at work.
Moving a loved one from his or her home and into a facility can be stressful and time consuming. Is it the right thing to do? Is it the right facility? How will the bills be paid? There are many questions to ask which are not easy to answer. To make an informed decision, it is important to take the time to learn about the choices of facilities available in your area before you or someone you love actually needs additional care.
Today, there are many types of facilities from which to choose; the levels of care available range from limited or custodial, assistance to skilled nursing. The services and licensure needed by a facility is often determined by the state. However, some types of facilities may not be approved to do business in all states.
One type of facility is an alternate living facility. These are also known as residential care facilities in California or assisted living facilities in other states. These facilities are designed to meet a wide range of individual needs within a residential-type setting. A typical facility can
accommodate anywhere from 5 to over 100 residents. Depending on an individual’s needs, units may be adapted to facilitate physical activities like bathing and meal preparation.
Care delivered in nursing homes is also evolving. Nursing homes can offer a less expensive alternative to some of the same types of care and therapies formerly available only in a hospital. Some nursing home residents stay just long enough to regain their independence and then return home. Others may find they continue to need assistance throughout the day and remain at the nursing home for extended periods of time.
Government web sites offer up-to date information on long-term care resources including skilled nursing facilities. The Nursing Home Compare Tool provides detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.
Visit www.longtermcare.gov to learn more.
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Article prepared by Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Co. with the cooperation of Robert Stolz. Robert Stolz is a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and the Kelley Financial Group, based in Beavercreek, OH. A financial representative is a licensed insurance agent. He is licensed and appointed to sell long-term care insurance for Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Co., Milwaukee, WI, a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company—Milwaukee, WI. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is the marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries and affiliates. To contact Robert Stolz, please call 937-427-7185 or email him robert.stolz@nmfn.com.
Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company’s long-term care insurance policy contains exclusions and limitations. Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company and the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network are not financially responsible for products issued by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
The purpose of this material is for the marketing and solicitation of insurance. Insurance Policy forms RS.LTC (0708) and RS.LTC.ML.(0708). Policy form RS.LTC.ML (0708) is only available in NJ, NY, OH and PA.
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