Arizona Long Term Care

Long Term Care Facility

Long-term care is a broad term describing many different types of care for seniors or those with disabilities. Generally, care is provided by a nurse or a caregiver, who specializes in geriatric care. Unlike acute care or rehab, long-term care is intended as a permanent solution to aid people in their daily lives. Many people use some form of long-term care for many years in their advanced age.

As people age, there can be a gradual mental or physical decline and people sometimes lose the ability to care for themselves safely. Ideally, everyone would like to live in their own home for as long as possible taking care of themselves, but oftentimes, this is not possible. If you or your loved one are having difficulty performing activities of daily living, maybe it is time to start thinking about long-term care.

The most common need seniors have is for personal care, which in layman’s terms means that they need help with their ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). ADLs include eating, cooking, managing medications, toileting, walking, dressing, bathing, and even getting up and down out of bed. Personal care, sometimes called attendant care, can be provided in a variety of settings.

In-Home Care

There are several benefits to in-home care. These benefits range from more obvious advantages like the ability to receive comprehensive care to less obvious advantages like the psychological benefits that go along with being able to live in one’s own home.

Many people who are hesitant to begin long-term care are more comfortable knowing that they can get care in the comfort of their own homes. Nurses, professional caregivers, and family caregivers generally help with providing in-home care to seniors.

If you are interested in in-home care, but not sure if you can afford it, don’t worry, you’re not alone. There are many benefits available to seniors and their families to help people afford the care they need. Also, for those who have had to quit their job to take care of a family member, most states will pay family caregivers through their long-term care Medicaid programs.

In-home care, although ideal for many seniors, may not work for every situation. The amount of care your loved one requires may not be affordable. For example, if your loved one needs 24/7 in-home care, the cost would simply be too much for most people, even with the assistance of state or federal benefits. Therefore, in-home care may not be right for seniors with extremely severe mental or physical disabilities. You can expect the private-pay cost for in-home care to run into the thousands of dollar range per month. Call Senior Planning today to learn what benefits might be available to you to help alleviate some of the cost burden.

Assisted Living Facilities

When most people think of long-term care facilities, they are imagining what is known as assisted living. Assisted living is designed to care for those who have trouble caring for themselves. Some may know them as nursing homes, but this is incorrect. Most seniors at assisted living communities do not actually need nursing care.

The main benefit of assisted living is the amount of care that can be provided by trained professionals. Assisted living facilities can provide 24/7 assistance to those with conditions which require around-the-clock supervision for a much lower cost than if they were receiving that care at home. While still expensive, the cost of the care can be 100% covered by most states’ long term care Medicaid programs, leaving no out-of-pocket costs for families.

Those living in assisted living facilities have every need covered. Staff is knowledgeable on their disabilities as well as what kinds of care they need. Things like room cleaning, utilities, food, laundry, and so on are all taken care of.

Residents can choose between private rooms or a room with a compatible roommate. For married couples, they can generally secure a surprisingly good deal if both are need of care.
Finally, whatever emergency services should be needed by your loved one will be instantly provided for at a long-term care facility. This is crucial for people with compromising illnesses. Many facilities have a resident doctor or nurse practitioner on premises.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Skilled nursing is generally the highest level of care found outside of a hospital setting. This is for people who need active medical care to remain healthy. Generally, skilled nursing is not a permanent solution, but more of a stop-over between a hospital stay and more general assisted living or in-home care. This is the only type of long-term care that Medicare will pay for, but even then, they will not pay in perpetuity. If someone must be in skilled nursing longer than Medicare will cover them, they should apply to Medicaid. Medicaid’s long-term care program will cover skilled nursing for as long as someone needs. Senior Planning offers free Medicaid consultations to see if Medicaid might be right for your situation.