Although conversations about the future are sometimes uncomfortable, it’s important to communicate your wants and needs regarding your long-term care. Long-term care does not necessarily mean the end of an active and fulfilling life. With proper planning, various long-term care options are available, especially if you want to remain in your home and receive in-home care.
Know Your Options
Long-term care doesn’t just mean a nursing home. About 80% of the long-term care provided in the United States is provided in the home. However, if you don’t plan properly and clearly discuss the details now, you may find yourself with fewer options in the future. There are also assisted living facilities that provide long-term care and assistance, but if you are adamant about avoiding this route, tell the kids. If you’re against living in a nursing home, let your children know this. If you want to remain in your home, communicate your intent and desire to seek in-home care options.
Meeting Your Needs
We’re living longer lives and with longer lives comes an increased risk of needing assistance. The most important goal of family planning is to ensure your needs are met. You want to ensure you’re able to receive the proper care for your health, safety, and well-being in the location you want. Be open to input from your kids. If they observe you’re forgetting things and tend to leave the stove on, put your pride aside and listen. You may need assistance with more things than you realize – and that’s alright. The goal of in-home care is to keep you safe while you continue to live at home.
Discuss the Amount of Care Needed
Are any family members willing to help out or will you need a full-time caregiver? Will someone be driving you to doctor appointments or will you need help with this? Care can come from family members, but you’ll want to acknowledge you know it’s a lot to expect. Even if your children seem willing, it’s a big responsibility. Caregivers offer various services. Some provide medical services while others tend to assist and provide help with bathing, dressing, and household chores.
Review Your Insurance Benefits
Find out what your insurance covers. If your insurance covers an in-home caregiver, let your child know you’ve researched the benefits and coverage. The financial aspect of care is often a big stress, but if your insurance will pick up the tab, this can help alleviate some concerns. If you plan to pay for it out-of-pocket, indicate these wishes.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you need help researching in-home care providers or caregiving companies, ask your family to step in and gather some information for you. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time with an in-home caregiver, you’ll want to make sure you’ve found a company you can trust.
The majority of the content you’ll find online focuses on how children can talk to their parents about planning, but not every senior is incapable of addressing their own needs. While you’re capable, take control of the conversation and let your family know what type of care you want to receive.
