According to Eldercare.acl.gov, almost two-thirds of Americans will, at some point in their lives, need assistance with activities of daily living. These activities include things like getting dressed, bathing, getting around their house, transportation, using the restroom, and more. Some need assistance due to injury, and others need it because of aging and illness. When most of us think of long-term care and assisted living, we think of nursing care facilities. But the reality is that most people who need long-term care will need it at home. Whether that’s due to the cost of these facilities or the preference to age at home. Few of us think that we’ll need it, but most of us will. This is why having a plan for long-term care in Orange County, California is incredibly important. Let’s dive in.
What is Long-Term Care Planning?
It’s not fun to think about the idea of needing long-term care. But for many of us, it’s an eventual reality we may have to face. As such, it can bring a lot of peace of mind to have a plan.
Long-term care can include elements/plans for the following options:
At-home care. At-home long-term care can mean one of three things. It can be full or part-time professional home care through a team of nurses and professional caregivers, full or part-time support from family, friends, and other loved ones, or a combination of the two. These caregivers can assist you with daily living activities should you need them to.
An assisted living facility. Most of us think of long-term care in terms of assisted living. These facilities are great for providing basic medical care, or in some cases, more specialized care, (depending on the facility), as well as social activities and assistance with activities of daily living. Assisted living facilities can be large or small, including board and care, and memory care.
A nursing home. Should you need around-the-clock care, a nursing home can be a great option. They give you access to a team of medical professionals all day and night. They can also work through rehabilitation or activities of daily living should you need them to.
All of these options are great and serve varying purposes and clientele. Most of us prefer to age at home and may assume that will be what happens. However, none of us know what the future holds. That’s why it can be useful to have them plan in place for when and how to escalate care should you need to. If you would like additional information on long term care options, check out our YouTube channel - Educational Class: Long Term Care Options
Who Needs It?
Statistically, the US Department of Health and Human Services states that of the roughly 70% of adults who need support long-term, the most common groups include:
Anyone over the age of 65. As we age, the chance of needing long-term care grows.
People living alone. Anyone living alone as they age is at a higher risk of needing long-term care from outside caregivers.
Those with a disability, injury, family history of illness, or those managing current chronic conditions. Those with injuries or chronic conditions today like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure are more likely to need long-term care. Similarly, those with a family history of illness as they age are also statistically more likely to need long-term care.
Women. Statistically, women live longer which also makes them more likely to need assistance as they age.
Those with poor diet and exercise habits. Those who cannot or do not exercise regularly or eat more unhealthy food are also likely to need long-term care starting at a younger age than those who exercise and practice eating habits.
Why Should I Put Together a Long-Term Care Plan?
Long-term care planning may sound like something that future you should worry about, not current you. But long-term care planning ahead of time has a lot of benefits, which include:
Peace of mind. Having a plan in place gives you a sense of peace over what the future holds. This is because you’ll know exactly what to expect, the types of care you can expect to receive, where and how you’ll receive it, and who will provide it.
Taking the burden off others. In addition, by defining these things yourself, you can ensure you get the care you want without putting the burden of these choices on your loved ones. If, on the other hand, you wait until it’s too late or you’re otherwise incapacitated (whether temporarily or permanently), your loved ones may be forced to put together a plan while fearing that they’re making choices you wouldn’t have chosen yourself. Not to mention that the unexpected stress and financial implications can weigh on familial relationships.
Create a financial plan. Something most of us underestimate in our health is the cost of long-term care. Many people get caught, unfortunately, in a bad situation where they need to liquidate assets, dig into savings, take out loans, rely on friends and family, or otherwise simply can’t afford the care they need. Having a long-term care plan can help you designate resources ahead of time to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Closing Thoughts: Long-Term Care Planning in Orange County, CA
Should you need help with this process for yourself or a loved one, the California Caregiver Resource Center of Orange County is here to provide assistance and guidance to help you do that. Check out our library of resources to help you navigate this experience. Together, we can navigate the healthcare landscape and help you provide the best possible care for your loved one(s).
Further Reading: Fitting in Fitness: Prioritizing Wellness as a Family Caregiver
From the emotional toll of witnessing a loved one's struggle up close to the physical and mental strain of continuous care, family caregivers navigate a complicated situation each day. As such, it can be hard to prioritize the caregiver’s own health. It’s easy for it to feel secondary to their loved one’s more pressing needs. In this article, we’ll look at why focusing on your health as a caregiver matters, how you and the loved one(s) in your care can benefit from prioritizing exercise each day, and how to incorporate it into your routine. Click here to read all about it.