Medicare.gov defines Long Term Care as "a variety of services that includes medical and non-medical care to people who have a chronic illness or disability. Long-term care helps meet health or personal needs. Most long-term care is to assist people with support services such as activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom."
When I used to think of long term care, I immediately thought of a person sitting alone in a nursing home, someone who was dumped there by a family who didn't wish to care for them anymore. However, as I have grown older and have become more educated I realize that there are many different options and variations to long term care. Some are more focused on medical care or therapy, while others are places for residents to live and enjoy their remaining years.
I have now reazlied that while my previous thoughts may not be far from the real experiences some face in long term care facilities, other facilities allow for patients to live on their own as though they were in their own homes with minimal assistance. Another variation known as Aging-in-Place allows for the patients to remain in their own homes and has the healthcare brought to them house to continue care. Adult Day Care provides activities, meals, and general daily supervision for elderly and/or handicapped individuals.
My interest in long term care has grown over the past few years, and not just due to my career choice. I feel that in order to make appropriate decisions regarding possible care for my family members, it is my duty to be an informed member of society. It is important to have a plan, in case such an instance arises in which one might need some sort of long term care due to a sudden injury or illness. I believe that making sure my family and close friends are prepared for such events is one of my duties as a member of the healthcare industry.
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