1. What is long-term care?

Long-term care refers to a compilation of services which help provide both medical and non medical care for individuals with chronic illness or disability ,who are no longer able to care for themselves for an extended period of time. This type of care is centered around promoting the independence, enhancing quality of life, and meeting a patient’s overall needs.

2. What types of long- term care are there?

The three most common types of long-term care are as follows; Facilities offering long term care services such as nursing homes, in home care such as home health care, and informal care offered by family members and unpaid volunteers.

3. What types of services does long-term care provide?

Long-term care services will vary depending on the patient’s individual needs and type of care requested however, it will encompass any day- to -day activities the patients can longer perform for his/herself. Examples include administering medicine, getting dressed, feeding, physical therapy, laundry, housekeeping, etc.

4. Is long-term care common?

About 70% of individuals 65 and over will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime with about 40% requiring nursing home care for some time. It is estimated that about 90% of in home long-term care is conducted by a loved one or family member.

5. How long does long-term care last?

The duration period of long-term care is dependent on how long that individual will require care. Some may require assistance for a shorter period of time due to temporary illness while others may require ongoing care, due to permanent lack of mobility and function.

6. How do I know if I will need long-term care?

There is no way to know for sure if you will require long-term care in the future however, there are certain predicting factors to consider.

• Age- The longer you live the higher your chances of needing care are
• Sex- Females are more likely to need care than males
• Lifestyle- Certain habits can lead to deteriorating health thus, increasing risk for needing care
• Marital status- Single individuals are more likely to require care over married individuals
• Family history- Certain genetic illnesses such as Dementia can increase your risk for needing care

7. How much does long-term care cost?

The cost of long-term care will vary based on certain factors such as age, sex, and lifestyle. It was also vary based on how much coverage you require as well as the level of care you will need. Different providers can offer certain affordable long-term care plans with varying payment options.

8. Will Medicare cover most long-term care costs?

No. Medicare will only cover some short period care and will not cover any ongoing care needs such as bathing, personal care, etc.

If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about Long Term Care Insurance be sure to visit: LTC TREE for more information.