How Much Do You Know About Planning for Long-Term Care?
People who need long-term care include those with a chronic illness or a physical handicap. Learn more about long-term care planning by taking this quiz.
1. Which expert is a specialist trained to help you and your family create a plan for long-term care?
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This is a special kind of social worker or nurse. A geriatric case manager, geriatric care manager, or service coordinator can help you plan your care, as well as help you find the services you need. This specialist is particularly helpful when you and members of your family live far apart. If no case manager is available, your healthcare provider and their staff also can help you find the services you need.
2. When you do research into what types of care are available in your area, who is a good source of information?
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A neighbor may know about a certain service or care that's available. Your healthcare provider and the Area Agency on Aging have information on adult day-care centers, meal programs, companion programs, transportation services, and other available programs.
3. Which agency can tell you what financial help is available to pay for long-term care?
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The state insurance commission can explain the complex issue of private long-term care insurance and offer tips on how to buy it. Medicare and private Medigap insurance do not cover long-term care; they only pay for short-term home health and nursing home care.
4. When you need a lot of help with everyday activities, which type of facility should you look for?
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Assisted living centers are found in large apartment
buildings and homes. They often include meals, recreation, security and
help with bathing, dressing, taking medicine, and housekeeping. Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) provide medical care round
the clock and rehabilitation for more frail residents. Sometimes these two
facilities are found at the same site, in a continuing care community.
5. A good way to find an assisted living center or nursing home that's right for you is to talk to friends, relatives, healthcare providers, and social workers for advice on which facilities are well run. After you've found the name of one that sounds like a good match, what's the next step?
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Set up an appointment, but also go unannounced and at different times of the day. Watch to see if the staff treats residents with respect and tries to meet the needs of each person. Check if the building is clean and safe. Find out what kinds of social activities and exercise programs are offered. Note if residents have personal privacy. Visit around mealtime and see how the residents interact and if you like the food.
6. Which agency inspects nursing homes to see how well they do their job?
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Each state's health department conducts an annual inspection of nursing homes. You can read the results of these annual inspections at the nursing homes you visit. If you have questions, the nursing home staff should be able to answer them. Many nursing homes also voluntarily participate in accreditation programs. One is the Joint Commission's Long Term Care Program.
7. Which kinds of activities are important for nursing home residents?
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What's important is that the nursing home offers group activities that offer mental, physical, and social stimulation.
8. Before you sign a contract with an assisted living center or nursing home, whom should you ask to look it over?
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Make sure you understand the contract before you sign it. Ask your lawyer to explain anything you don't understand.
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