It is extremely important for citizens to educate themselves about long term care. People need to be educated about what types of care are offered, how to access care, and how Medicare and Medicaid can be used. There is much confusion and misinformation about long term care because the medical system is so complicated. Often long term care is not something that people plan for or if they do plan for the cost it most likely is not enough.
Based on a report on the perception of the cost of long term care produced by AARP only 8% of people surveyed could correctly estimate the monthly cost of nursing home care. Only 23% of people could estimate the monthly cost of assisted living. Those surveyed were age 45+, so obviously this an issue that needs to be addressed because this group needs to be educated about long term care in order to prepare themselves for whatever circumstances may arise as they age.
In chapter two of the text, Long Term Care Managing Across the Continuum CriterionVI discusses the need for community education for long term care. It explains that neither Medicare or Medicaid were created for the purpose of providing coverage for long term care, yet society has the perception that it will be provided for them. Perhaps this is due to the many barriers to providing education. The barriers listed according to Pratt, include consumer apathy, overlapping sources of information, and inconsistent methods of delivering information.
Organizations such as the American Association of Retired Persons and the National Council of Senior Citizens work to provide information to the public about long term care as just one of the areas they work to inform older Americans.
The survey produced by AARP noted above brings light to how little the public truly knows about the cost of long term care. Along with the report AARP notes that based on the findings they are working to educate the public so they can discuss with their families the lifestyle preferred as a senior citizen.
References:
Long Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum by John R. Pratt
http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/costs/ltc_costs_fs_2006.html
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Home Health Care and Cost Effectiveness
Home health care is a great form of nursing care for people who do not need to be institutionalized in a nursing facility but instead need some form of intermittent care. Home health care as defined by Medicare, "is care that is given fewer than 7 days per week or less than 8 hours per day." Home health care is ordered by a physician due a patent's capabilities.
Most often home health care is the most cost effective form of care because it is given intermittently instead of around the clock. Often times home health care is provided through nurses and therapists for rehabilitation purposes within the home. However there are some cases where families choose to have nurses and medical assistants in the home giving care 24/7 to keep from institutionalizing the person in need.
I saw the latter scenario play out many years ago. My mother worked as a nurse and for a period of time she worked in home health caring for an elderly woman in her family home. I learned that this was not a woman with minor medical needs with daily living activities. Instead this woman was in a room that looked like it could have been in a hospital. This woman needed skilled nursing care, not intermittent care. Of course this was a costly form of care as well.
I've also been witness to another home health care situation. This case involves my 86 year old grandmother-in-law who has diabetes. For a number of years she has been dealing with diabetes. About three years ago she started having complications. Not long after I married her grandson she had surgery to remove her big toe. Unfortunately, she continued to have poor circulation and her leg was removed almost to her knee. After surgery she first stayed in a rehabilitation center for a short period of time, but after she was released she received home health care. Daily she would receive therapy in the home and learn to walk again with a prosthesis. Her care was provided through Medicare.
Home health care is a great way to keep people close to their families while receiving the care they need. If used properly, it can be a cost effective method to give healthcare.
source: Long-Term Care Managing Across the Continuum author: John Pratt
Most often home health care is the most cost effective form of care because it is given intermittently instead of around the clock. Often times home health care is provided through nurses and therapists for rehabilitation purposes within the home. However there are some cases where families choose to have nurses and medical assistants in the home giving care 24/7 to keep from institutionalizing the person in need.
I saw the latter scenario play out many years ago. My mother worked as a nurse and for a period of time she worked in home health caring for an elderly woman in her family home. I learned that this was not a woman with minor medical needs with daily living activities. Instead this woman was in a room that looked like it could have been in a hospital. This woman needed skilled nursing care, not intermittent care. Of course this was a costly form of care as well.
I've also been witness to another home health care situation. This case involves my 86 year old grandmother-in-law who has diabetes. For a number of years she has been dealing with diabetes. About three years ago she started having complications. Not long after I married her grandson she had surgery to remove her big toe. Unfortunately, she continued to have poor circulation and her leg was removed almost to her knee. After surgery she first stayed in a rehabilitation center for a short period of time, but after she was released she received home health care. Daily she would receive therapy in the home and learn to walk again with a prosthesis. Her care was provided through Medicare.
Home health care is a great way to keep people close to their families while receiving the care they need. If used properly, it can be a cost effective method to give healthcare.
source: Long-Term Care Managing Across the Continuum author: John Pratt
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Informal Caregivers
As we learned in chapter one of "Long Term Care Managing Across the Continuum" informal caregivers have been the backbone of long term care during the 1800s and 1900s. During this time it was customary that family members take care of other family members in need. It also can be a cultural tradition as well.
Pratt states that, "nearly 23 percent of U.S. households provide care to a relative or friend 50 years or older." I have witnessed two different scenarios regarding informal caregivers.
My mother cared for my father as he aged and became less able to handle activities of daily living. As a teenager I watched as my father became less able to walk and lose sight in one eye. Considering our family dynamics it took a toll on the family, especially my mother as she worked the night shift as a nurse.
This situation was not due to any customs or traditions, but simply the need to care for a family member.
Currently, my mother in law cares for her mother. Her mother is doing quite well for being 85 years old but she has type 2 diabetes and has had complications from it. My grandmother in law is a first generation U.S citizen. She moved here from Germany and it was tradition to care for family members. they did not rely on the government or other long term care facilities. They relied on family to get through difficult times. Another informal care service used in the family was Hospice while her husband was terminally ill from cancer. My mother in law is part of the "sandwich generation." She managed working full time while caring for her young teenage son and father and now she cares for her mother. So, one could say she is stuck caring for other generations.
Clearly, the structure of our long term care system would be dramatically different if we did not have informal caregivers. Informal caregivers need support, whether it comes from respite care, adult day care, or home health care they need support to continue caring for those they love. Disease, debilitation or disabilities do not take a vacation, however we need to recognize informal caregivers for their service.
Pratt states that, "nearly 23 percent of U.S. households provide care to a relative or friend 50 years or older." I have witnessed two different scenarios regarding informal caregivers.
My mother cared for my father as he aged and became less able to handle activities of daily living. As a teenager I watched as my father became less able to walk and lose sight in one eye. Considering our family dynamics it took a toll on the family, especially my mother as she worked the night shift as a nurse.
This situation was not due to any customs or traditions, but simply the need to care for a family member.
Currently, my mother in law cares for her mother. Her mother is doing quite well for being 85 years old but she has type 2 diabetes and has had complications from it. My grandmother in law is a first generation U.S citizen. She moved here from Germany and it was tradition to care for family members. they did not rely on the government or other long term care facilities. They relied on family to get through difficult times. Another informal care service used in the family was Hospice while her husband was terminally ill from cancer. My mother in law is part of the "sandwich generation." She managed working full time while caring for her young teenage son and father and now she cares for her mother. So, one could say she is stuck caring for other generations.
Clearly, the structure of our long term care system would be dramatically different if we did not have informal caregivers. Informal caregivers need support, whether it comes from respite care, adult day care, or home health care they need support to continue caring for those they love. Disease, debilitation or disabilities do not take a vacation, however we need to recognize informal caregivers for their service.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What does LTC mean to you?
Long term care in my opinion, is a necessary evil. Long term care has become an extremely important and costly industry in America. I think our ever-changing culture has created the system of long term care that we have today. Different countries have different traditions or beliefs pertaining long term care. This can be seen throughout many families in America.
First, let me say that there certainly are different types of long term care. Assisted living facilities exist for those who are still able to be somewhat independent. They may need help remembering to take medicine and they may some long term physical ailments such as diabetes or dementia or difficulty walking, but they are able to do most activities of daily living. These facilities are a good resource for people who wish to remain independent to a degree.
Caring for a loved one certainly is not an easy task. Whether you are caring for an infant, child, or elder time, love and both physical and emotional strength are necessities. In our society of "busyness" people are losing sight of the importance of caring for loved ones within the family. Some are too concerned about the activities they are involved in, work, children, grandchildren, to care for an elder. Others simply don't think they are strong enough. These certainly are valid reasons for someone to receive care in a long term care facility.
Granted, this is my opinion; you may think the best place for an elder is a long term care facility. I have my reasons for this rationale though. My mother worked for many years in a number of different nursing facilities. I have heard the stories she would tell about not having enough staff, people stealing medicine, and being worked to the bone. She also told me that she does not want to ever be "put in a facility."
My father was cared for at home, but he did have respite care for a couple of short periods of time. Patients or residents of nursing home facilities can be much more active at home versus lying in bed or wheeling through the hallways.
My grandmother-in -law is currently being cared for at home. She is in her mid eighties. She is quite well for her age. Despite having one leg partially amputated due to diabetes, she can walk with a prosthesis. She keeps herself busy during the day by watching game shows and playing solitaire to keep her mind going. Fortunately her daughter works nearby and she comes home during her lunch hour to check in on her during the day.
Long term care of course does not only mean "end of life care." There are people who are in their fifties even that need care due to life experiences that have taken a toll on their body and now they require daily care.
Long term care can occur in a facility or home. Nursing staff and family members can both care for those in need. Sadly, numerous people are in need of care due to long term illness or the aging process. One thing is certain, long term care facilities need to be properly staffed in order to provide the best possible care that every person deserves.
First, let me say that there certainly are different types of long term care. Assisted living facilities exist for those who are still able to be somewhat independent. They may need help remembering to take medicine and they may some long term physical ailments such as diabetes or dementia or difficulty walking, but they are able to do most activities of daily living. These facilities are a good resource for people who wish to remain independent to a degree.
Caring for a loved one certainly is not an easy task. Whether you are caring for an infant, child, or elder time, love and both physical and emotional strength are necessities. In our society of "busyness" people are losing sight of the importance of caring for loved ones within the family. Some are too concerned about the activities they are involved in, work, children, grandchildren, to care for an elder. Others simply don't think they are strong enough. These certainly are valid reasons for someone to receive care in a long term care facility.
Granted, this is my opinion; you may think the best place for an elder is a long term care facility. I have my reasons for this rationale though. My mother worked for many years in a number of different nursing facilities. I have heard the stories she would tell about not having enough staff, people stealing medicine, and being worked to the bone. She also told me that she does not want to ever be "put in a facility."
My father was cared for at home, but he did have respite care for a couple of short periods of time. Patients or residents of nursing home facilities can be much more active at home versus lying in bed or wheeling through the hallways.
My grandmother-in -law is currently being cared for at home. She is in her mid eighties. She is quite well for her age. Despite having one leg partially amputated due to diabetes, she can walk with a prosthesis. She keeps herself busy during the day by watching game shows and playing solitaire to keep her mind going. Fortunately her daughter works nearby and she comes home during her lunch hour to check in on her during the day.
Long term care of course does not only mean "end of life care." There are people who are in their fifties even that need care due to life experiences that have taken a toll on their body and now they require daily care.
Long term care can occur in a facility or home. Nursing staff and family members can both care for those in need. Sadly, numerous people are in need of care due to long term illness or the aging process. One thing is certain, long term care facilities need to be properly staffed in order to provide the best possible care that every person deserves.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Purpose
This blog has been created as part of an assignment for my Long Term Care Administration course with the University of Central Florida.
The purpose of this blog will be to express my perceptions and thoughts about various issues and concepts involving long term care. I will explore many different topics throughout the course of the semester and gain experience using a different aspect of blogging versus my original blog which pertains to my hobby of papercrafting.
I hope you enjoy reading about my insight. I look forward to reading your comments.
Yours Truly,
Kelly
The purpose of this blog will be to express my perceptions and thoughts about various issues and concepts involving long term care. I will explore many different topics throughout the course of the semester and gain experience using a different aspect of blogging versus my original blog which pertains to my hobby of papercrafting.
I hope you enjoy reading about my insight. I look forward to reading your comments.
Yours Truly,
Kelly
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
