What Is Long-Term Care

October is Long-Term Care Planning Month! The month is dedicated to raising awareness among senior citizens, aging adults and family members about the importance of planning for the future. The need for daily care and for health care grows as we age, and many people are unaware of their options.

The definition of long-term care is ‘personal care that helps with daily activities.’ The need for long-term care often arises after a major health event, like a heart attack or a stroke, but the need can also grow gradually as natural aging occurs. The most common type of long-term care is support with the activities of daily living. Activities of daily living (ADLs) include daily activities such as bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating, grooming and transitioning.

In celebration of Long-Term Care Planning Month, and to help make the future better, brighter and more secure, it is smart to understand the options available for you and your loved ones, to know what is long-term care, who needs long-term care and what benefits are provided to long-term care residents.

Where is Long-Term Care Offered?

Long-term care for seniors is a range of services and support for your personal care needs. Most long-term care isn’t medical care, but rather it refers to help with basic personal tasks of everyday life, including the activities of daily living. The options for long-term care include:

  • Home care. Home care can be provided in the family home by family members, friends or paid professionals. This type of care can range from help running errands to nursing care.
  • Community services. Community service support can include transportation, meal programs and even adult day care.
  • Assisted living. Assisted living communities provide supervision and support, personal care, daily assistance, meals and health care services. At Carnegie Village Senior Living Community, assisted living residents receive individualized care plans, medication management, help with the activities of daily living and 24/7 support from on-site licensed and certified nursing staff.
  • Continuing care retirement communities. Also known as CCRCs, continuing care retirement communities provide a full range of services and care based on the needs of each resident over time. For example, at St. Paul’s Senior Community, residents can begin in independent living, then transfer to assisted living or memory care as needed.
  • Skilled nursing facilities. Also known as nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities provide care for those who cannot be cared for at home. They provide skilled nursing care, as well as rehabilitation, meals and support with activities of daily living.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities are a unique solution to long-term care planning. Continuing care retirement communities offer residents access to multiple levels of care on a single campus. Supporting residents throughout their aging journey creates a continuum of care where the community administration and staff understand the resident and their individual needs. As a resident ages and their needs change, they can stay at the same community and receive the needed care and support. There are no concerns about relocating a senior to a new living community when a different kind of service is needed.

The opportunity for continuing care is a unique benefit of CCRCs. Even a healthy, active senior who moves into independent living can be secure knowing that their needs will be met if their health or support needs will change in the future. Another benefit of choosing a continuing care retirement community is that all long-term care planning is taken care of for you. There is no need to search for different levels of care, make costly moves or spend hours doing research on ways to support your loved one – your future care is already waiting for you.

About Tutera Senior Living & Health Care

Tutera Senior Living & Health Care communities create care plans centered around you – your health needs, your goals and your comfort. Daily activities are offered at each Tutera location, designed to help residents function as independently as possible, while offering support as needed. We include family members in daily activities, medical updates and decision-making to ensure the best possible outcomes for our residents.

Ready to learn more about Tutera Senior Living? Contact us today with questions, to arrange a tour of a community near you or to share your needs. Want to find a Tutera community near you? Use our location finder tool to find communities nearby that meet the needs of your family.

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