How Do I Know Long Term Care Is The Right Choice?
For some, the search for long term care takes time, patience and commitment. For others, it may become urgent due an unforeseen health emergency. Regardless of the circumstance, it can be an emotional and difficult decision for family members to place a loved one in the care of others – even if that decision is ultimately the right one.
The decision to move into a nursing home or assisted living community is personal and unique to each individual’s needs. There is no universal checklist to determine precisely whether or when it’s time to look for long term care options.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you or your loved one are looking into long term care:
- Needs. Whether it’s help around the house or complex medical assistance, your loved one’s needs are important to keep in mind when deciding on whether or not to transition to long term care. There are a variety of options – from independent living communities to assisted living communities to nursing homes – that provide specialized levels of care for residents. Learn more about the different types of long term care here.
- Support. If you are currently caring for a loved one, you know this: caregiving takes time and energy. It can be overwhelming to attend to a loved one’s needs, particularly if they need help performing daily living activities (eating, bathing, etc.) or have a serious illness.
If you are feeling overloaded with caregiving duties on top of your everyday life, long term care may support you – and be better for your loved one. They offer full-time care from trained professionals. - Location. Moving to a long term care community is a big change. Location can play a big role in making the transition a little smoother. There are more than 15,000 nursing homes and nearly 30,000 assisted living communities in the United States – meaning your loved one likely has options close to them or close to family. Find long term care communities in your area using our Care Finder.
- Cost. The costs of long term care communities vary greatly depending on the size of rooms, amenities, services provided, coverage options, and location. It is important to not only consider the cost of care, but what happens if private, personal funds are depleted. It is important to ask potential long term care communities about their specific costs and payment options.
Ultimately, it’s important to plan ahead, understand your loved one’s wishes, and know your local options.
