Although we all have hope that we’ll stay active and healthy for many years to come, the reality is that you may need assistance much sooner than you think. In fact, 52% of people turning 65 will need some type of long-term care service during their lifetime. Whether you’re concerned about an aging relative or you’re a senior yourself, it will help to learn a bit more about care options that are available to you. You may not think you’ll ever become a resident at a long term care facility, but we can’t always predict the future. To ensure you feel informed no matter what happens, we’re sharing some common misconceptions about long term care facilities that you shouldn’t take as truth.
MISCONCEPTION: I won’t need long term care if I have a familial caregiver.
A lot of seniors rely on close family members to provide them with the assistance they need. While this system may work just fine for a while, sometimes an individual’s health needs far exceed what their loved one can feasibly provide. That can end up putting a huge financial and emotional strain on family members while compromising the quality of care that the person truly needs. In some cases, your relatives may not be in a position to take on these responsibilities at all. It’s important to discuss these plans in advance and reassess the needs of the individual (and others close to them) as time goes on. Expectations may need to be adjusted in order to secure high-quality and consistent care — and it may require you to relocate, rather than aging in place.
MISCONCEPTION: Long term care facilities are only for elderly people.
Some people might picture a long term care facility as a center made only for older seniors. But actually, these facilities are for much more than merely geriatric care. Skilled nursing facilities can provide care for individuals who need assistance following a surgery or major health scare, while other long term care facilities can provide memory care or physical rehabilitation services for residents of all ages. Even if you’re under the age of 65, you may be a good candidate for long term care if you have a chronic condition or were involved in an accident. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 8% of people aged 40 to 50 have disabilities that could require long term care services. Clearly, this option isn’t just for those who reach a certain age.
MISCONCEPTION: All long term care facilities near me are alike.
Until you start exploring the options for yourself, it’s easy to assume that every senior community is alike. But there are actually a number of different kinds of facilities out there. There are independent and assisted living facilities, skilled nursing or long term care facilities, nursing homes, memory care facilities, and more. Some centers will offer specific amenities, while others will focus on programs that can’t be found elsewhere. It’s important to conduct thorough research when exploring these possibilities to determine which one will be best for you or your loved one, particularly if they require skilled nursing assistance.
We hope that this post cleared up some of the most common misconceptions about long term care. We encourage you to consider whether our long term care facility might be right for you in the present or in the future. For more information, please contact us today.
