Learning About California Long Term CareLong term care, also called custodial care and personal care, refers to the assistance required by a person who is unable to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs). The United States law mandates that a person who is unable to do any two of six ADLs is eligible for benefits. These ADLs are bathing, dressing, transferring, eating, toileting and continence. Studies have shown that most Americans do not prepare for the eventuality of needing long term care which leads to financial crisis in advanced age. In order to remedy this, the Department of Aging, through their Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, published a booklet containing comprehensive information about California long term care. California long term care is required when a person sustains an injury or any ailment that physically hampers him from engaging in any physical activity. It is also needed by a person who suffers from cognitive impairment caused by a mental illness or a brain disorder. California long term care may be obtained from the home through the services of family members or close friends. It may also be provided by professional skilled and unskilled workers. The latter is a form of formal long-term care. These services can be provided in a private residence, through a community program, an assisted living facility or in a nursing home. Usually, senior citizens purchase California long term care insurance policies to ensure that they will be well-taken cared of during their advanced years. Experts recommend that this be done even before there is actual need for it to avail of cheaper premiums. Moreover, cost of long term care increases at a faster rate than general inflation. It is expected to rise at an average rate of five percent per year in the future. Most Americans rely and assume that long term care is covered by Medicare. While this is correct, it is not entirely accurate. Medicare only covers skilled care provided by a nursing home within a maximum period of 100 days. Moreover, it does not cover personal care services unless these skilled services can only be provided by a nurse or therapist. For other health care services that are not paid by Medicare, people avail of the benefits provided by Medi-Cal. However, this is not easy since compliance to federal and state poverty guidelines is a must. Usually, people finance long term care by using their own financial or personal resources. If nursing care is provided by a family member or friend, Medicare does not pay for equipment, transportation, and other cost incurred from it. Long term care may also be financed by purchasing California long term care insurance policies. Many private insurance companies in California offer these products to cover for a portion of the overall cost of long term care. A California long term care insurance policy is recognized by law as a contract between a policy holder and the insurer. For the protection of potential policy holders, policies should be approved by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and should be guaranteed renewable. In addition, the insurance company is not allowed to cancel the policies provided that premiums are paid on time. |