How To Compare Long Term CareOne way to compare long term care is by needs, which answers the question of what is appropriate for your current or future possible condition. There is the need for such assistance which can be classified as either ADL or activities of daily living or IADL which is instrumental activities of daily living. ADL oriented long term care involves assistance in eating, bathing and dressing while IADL may mean meal preparations and assistance with medications. Another way to compare long term care is the kind of human assistance or care that is provided. Formal care of course is often accomplished by either professional skilled or unskilled workers. These services are paid for compared to informal long term care which can be provided by family members of friends, some of who are actually paid in some instances. You can compare long term care by virtue of where it is provided. Services can be rendered in one's home or in a community facility, an assisted living facility or a nursing home. To compare long term care with how long it is normally done will give you a range of as short as 1 month and not more than 6 months. Duration really depends on the condition or severity of the disability and as to how quickly, a patient will recover. While it may be somewhat grim, you can compare long term care based on whether you need it and when. You have to consider your age, health condition, medical history as well as personal circumstances, if you are single. You have to know if you have anyone, close friends or family members who can assist you when you become disabled. If there is none, you have no other option but to find a nursing home. You can also compare long term care in terms of your medical history's requirements. There are certain medical disorders such as Alzheimer's or stroke that normally make it necessary for long term care. If you have a family history of such diseases, make sure to plan ahead and include these considerations in choosing an appropriate long term care option. Another important reason to compare long term care options is based on how much they cost. You might find it necessary to find other alternatives such as insurance coverage. In choosing insurance policies, make sure to ask important questions on several important features. Ask the company if the policy qualifies under the Health Insurance and Portability Act of 1996; policies that are qualified will enable you to make a tax deduction for your premiums. Also asked is if the policy is guaranteed for life. Based on whether it is guaranteed for life. If not, it is possible that the company can cancel it if they find out that you are actually in poor health. Compare long term care insurance policies based on waiting periods. The ideal wait is about three months and that you can avail of this only once. Ask the company if the policy also covers home health care or any level of nursing home care. If it does, you can stay home and receive the same benefits as you would in a nursing home. |