A phrase that frequently comes up in the context of elder law or estate planning is long-term care. This can make it difficult for someone new to the concept to understand what’s incorporated in this term.
At its broadest basis, long-term care includes a variety of different kinds of services that are all aligned to meet a person’s personal or health care needs either during a short or long period of time. These services aim to enable those people who have personal or medical needs to live as independently as possible when they are no longer able to take care of themselves. This is usually associated with activities of daily living. The more activities of daily living that a person is unable to perform on their own, the higher the chances that they will need some form of long-term care support.
Those with advanced medical care needs, such as those with Alzheimer’s, may need more comprehensive long-term care support like a nursing home. Most long-term care is frequently provided by family members and friends at home but adult day care centers, nursing homes and assisted living communities can also help.
The activities of daily living to contemplate as you think about whether a loved one requires additional support include eating, using the toilet, grooming, dressing, bathing and moving around. Long-term care support can also include other services like transportation, adult day care, and meals. Depending on the facility or offering, these services could be free or paid for out of pocket.
Most people frequently trigger a need for long term care when they have an ongoing disability or health condition that is serious. However, accidents or sudden issues, such as a stroke could also prompt someone to require long term care services.
Our MI estate planning office can help you put together a plan that incorporates estate and elder law needs.