Long term care is a common term that is often used interchangeably with senior care, but these are not the same things. In many instances, the preferred and necessary type of senior care that an elderly individual is given is long term care, but this isn’t always the case. Senior care is a very broad term, while long term care is a bit more specific because it refers to a longer and indefinite timeframe for that care to be administered within.
A need for senior care does not necessarily equal a need for long term care. One of the problems that many people face when they begin looking for care for a loved one or for themselves is that they do not know the difference between the two. But they are very different, and insurance handles each differently. This makes it a little bit tougher on people because of the complexities of insurance. However, it’s not quite that tough. In most cases, short term care is just equal to 100 days of care or less.
If you are looking at a skilled nursing facility, for example, you will find that short term care and long term care are even given in the same building in most cases. The distinction is usually just for insurance purposes, but the care given is slightly different, too. For example, while short term care might place an emphasis on building strength and independence, most long term care wings operate with the assumption that once someone is there, they will be there for the rest of their lives.
Short term care is often the better option for many elderly individuals at first, especially those that can live with a good deal of independence. If the disability that is being treated was brought about by an injury, then sometimes this can help them to stay out of a nursing home if it is not their desire. Medicare will often pay for short term care in a nursing home, but more than that is rare. If extra help is needed after that and your loved one wants to stay home, consider in-home care and see if that will cover all of your loved one’s needs.
Differences in insurance policies exist, so if you have questions, make sure that you have someone look over what coverage you have.
Before you sign any sort of long term contract for an older loved one, be sure that you know what their physical needs are, and whether or not the care that you are looking at for them is adequately meeting these. In many cases, you might be surprised to find out that the care you may have been considering is far too intensive for the needs that your loved one currently has. This goes for all sorts of care, ranging from basic in-home care to a nursing home. Matching up your loved one’s needs with the type of care that you help them to select is a big part of ensuring that they stay happy and mentally healthy.
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