Many
people perceive long term care as simply the care received at a nursing
home. Long term care is actually many services that enable an individual
to maintain a certain level of quality of life. These types of services
might be
What is the difference between skilled care and personal care?
Typically
skilled care is needed by an individual for medical conditions
that require medical personnel. This might include registered nurses,
doctors, and physical therapists. Additionally skilled care is usually
required round the clock.
A
person requiring this type of care is usually in a nursing home
environment, but occasionally a home situation with visiting
professionals is provided.
Personal
care is sometimes referred to as custodial care. This type of care
helps an individual perform daily living activities such as:
- assistance
with toileting
- bathing
- dressing
- transportation
This
type of care generally does not require the level of intense and complex
service as the skilled care. This type of care is often provided at
home, adult day care centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing
homes.
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What
are the chances that I will need long-term care?
Recent
studies based upon nursing home admissions, indicate that 43% of all
persons aged 65 and over will enter a nursing home in the future. In
fact, a New England Journal of Medicine report (February 1991) suggested
that of the 43% who enter nursing homes, 50% would stay an average of
two years.
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What
could I expect in cost(s) if I needed care?
Nationally,
nursing homes average $36,000 per year and costs in
metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C. range from $50,000-$70,000 per
year.
An
American Health Care Association Study published in 1993 reported
that if you received skilled nursing care in your home, by a
nurse three times a week (two hours each visit) the bill would be about $12,300
per year.
Care
received from a home health aid three times a week for a year
with each visit lasting two hours would result in a bill of about $8400
per year.
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Does
Medicare cover any long term care?
Long
term care expenses are generally not paid for by Medicare,
Medicare supplement insurance, or major medical health insurance
provided by most employers.
Medicare
does not pay for personal or custodial care unless the
assistance is related to an injury or illness. Even in this instance
benefits are severely restrictive.
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How
does Medicaid play into all this?
Many
people share the misconception that they will be able to receive
Medicaid assistance. Stringent financial guidelines dictate an
individual's ability to receive Medicaid. You must meet the federal
poverty guideline for income and assets and you may have to "spend
down" or use up most of your estate before meeting these
guidelines.
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