Long-Term Care
Long-term care services are generally for seniors with chronic and/or progressive conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In these instances, regular assistance and care are required, and the client’s needs are likely to increase with time.
Most family members have no experience or training in caring for a chronically ill person at home. Bathing is one thing, but changing a colostomy bag, suctioning secretions from a tracheotomy tube, or monitoring a ventilator is more than most family caregivers can safely take on. In these particular cases, skilled home care is hired on a long-term basis until the senior’s needs exceed what can be provided in the home. Around-the-clock supervision and higher levels of care and training may become necessary, therefore home health care may no longer be the best option. Services usually conclude when the elder moves to an assisted living facility or long-term nursing facility.