Preparing a long-term care plan may seem daunting. No one wants to think about what things will be like when they are frail enough to require care. However, taking some steps now to plan for your care in the long term will help alleviate the burden when the time comes and it is necessary.
Consider finances
How will long-term care be financed? Consider long-term care insurance, personal assets, Social Security, and other financial assets. Keep in mind that these days people are living longer than ever before.
Consider the care options
Options when care is needed are to stay at home with assistance or to move elsewhere. Home care can be made available from a few hours a day to 24 hours. Before thinking of moving elsewhere, check into the availability and cost of in-home care.
Then, make plans
Some key things to consider when developing a long-term care plan include:
- Comparing and understanding long-term care insurance options.
- Communicating with family and friends and deciding who can be counted on for help.
- Establishing clear legal directions.
- Learning what is offered in the community.
- Making necessary home improvements.
- Contacting a local home care agency, like Independence-4-Seniors, to learn more about long-term care and to determine what services are available.
At Independence-4-Seniors, we understand that planning for long-term care is a complicated process. Our team can help guide your family during the decision-making process and provide resources that may be helpful to you. When the time for care arrives, a free, professional in-home assessment from Independence-4-Seniors can assist in creating a plan for care that might include in-home services such as meal preparation, nursing care, homemaker services, personal care, or continuous supervision. Contact us today in the Chicago area at (630) 323-4665. We can help you navigate the long-term care planning process with ease.