As we age, it becomes increasingly important to develop a long-term care plan, should health issues affect your ability to care for yourself or to live alone. There’s no better time to do that than during the month of October, which is long-term care planning month.
At Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge, we offer assisted living, rehabilitation, respite care, and long-term nursing care in a homelike setting with a compassionate, caring staff. With a highly trained, experienced team, we’re an award-winning home that’s been recognized both nationally and locally for our outstanding service, atmosphere, and advanced accreditations. Make sure you’re ready for what’s ahead by creating your own long-term care plan now.
What is long-term care planning?
Long-term care planning is the process of considering your potential long-term care needs, researching affordable options that meet them, and putting a plan in place to carry through when the time arises. A physician can discuss your or your loved ones’ specific health risks and the level of care that may likely be needed in the future, and you can begin to research elderly care options that meet those needs. It’s best to do this before there is a health crisis, so that the family is prepared should an emergency occur, or better yet, implement a realistic long-term care plan well in advance so it is in place when and if the need arises.
Most commonly, long-term care focuses on assistance with activities of daily living (also known as ADLs), which include:
- Help with bathing, dressing and daily hygiene
- Assistance with cooking and eating
- Care for those with loss of bladder or bowel control
- Assistance getting to and using the restroom
- Help transferring patients to and from chairs, desks, beds, toilets, etc.
If you or your parents have been diagnosed with or have risk factors for Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other chronic health conditions requiring specialized care, your planning process is especially important. As aging seniors live longer and more and more people are being diagnosed with dementia, this type of care will be expanding in many communities, as evidenced by the number of memory care facilities either now open or in the planning stages.
Once you know the type of elder care community or home care options needed, you can work out the financial aspects, such as determining how much money must be saved within your time horizon, outlining a rough budget for monthly expenses, and figuring out what your choices and long term desires are, whether that be home care, care by family members, or an elder care community consistent with your beliefs and approach toward aging.
Long-term care policies are offered by some insurance companies and may be a good solution for those in good health, since some pre-existing condition could disqualify you from this type of coverage. These policies may pay for assisted living fees, nursing home fees, home care, respite care, or other services, but each policy is quite different. Speak to a financial advisor whom you trust when you start your search for any type of insurance coverage. Review the provisions of the insurance contract so you understand exactly what it covers before signing. Annual premiums can be substantial (several thousand dollars per year). These policies can be a life-saver, however, especially if someone cannot care for themselves and have no family members to take on that responsibility. Research carefully!
Why is long term care planning important?
As baby-boomers begin to reach their 70s and 80s, the need for elder care will become a boom in itself. Home care agencies are expanding throughout the country, and many new senior care communities are opening and catering to different needs, interests, styles, and trends. These communities offer a range of services and prices. It’s best to do your research early to know your likes and dislikes and what is affordable for you. Without this planning and foresight, you may find yourself in crisis mode, making a long term care decision too quickly and without proper thought.
About Reformed Church Home as a long-term plan option
At Reformed Church Home, our residents’ dignity and comfort are our highest priority. Since the early 1950s, when we began our mission in Irvington, our community has been dedicated to caring for the elderly with compassion, respect, and professionalism. For the past 20 years, we have been located in Old Bridge on 15 beautifully landscaped acres with lovely outdoor areas and inside spaces. Our goal is to make each person feel that Reformed Church Home is indeed their own home.
Beyond beautiful grounds and a homelike setting, Reformed Church Home offers comprehensive, attentive, and focused care by certified professionals who have many years of experience working with the elderly. We offer a continuum of services, from respite care to rehab to assisted living to nursing home care, so that residents can age in place in a place they call home.
For more information, please call 732-607-9230 or [email protected].