Is Long-Term Care the Right Choice for Your Loved One?

 

While most seniors hope or plan to age in place in their own homes or communities, changes in their health and physical abilities often bring housing alternatives into play. More than 1.7 million people live in long-term care in the United States, including in nursing homes and assisted living facilities where older adults get the benefits of group living, like social interaction, and health care services.

Realizing the need to put your loved one in a nursing home can be distressing for you. Nursing homes get a lot of bad press; however, this does not have to be the destiny of your loved one. Transitioning your loved one to full-time nursing care is sometimes the necessary step in the evolution of your care.

At Bridgeview Health Care Center, an assisted care community located in Bridgeview, Illinois, we offer a range of personal and health care services. Moreover, care options are available for loved ones who can no longer live fully independent lives but do not yet need or wish to move into a specialized facility. This article provides a brief description of common types of long-term care.

The most common type of long-term care is personal care—help with everyday activities, also called "activities of daily living." These activities include bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating, and moving around—for example, getting out of bed and into a chair.

Long-term care also includes community services such as meals, adult day care, and transportation services.

People often need long-term care when they have a serious, ongoing health condition or disability. The need for long-term care can arise suddenly, such as after a heart attack or stroke. Most often, however, it develops gradually, as people get older and frailer or as an illness or disability gets worse.

Caring for a loved one with around-the-clock needs can be challenging. Consider making the transition to a long-term care facility if your loved one’s health condition requires a level of support that exceeds what can be provided in your home by a family caregiver. An assisted care community like Bridgeview Health Care Center, may be an excellent choice. Bridgeview employs full-time physicians and health providers who specialize in senior care. As an integrated team, they create a personalized plan to match your loved one’s unique needs and preferences.