family

There are normal risks people encounter everyday from going about life as usual— such as the possibility of getting injured from car accidents or sports. A sudden need for long term care is no different.

My inbox recently displayed the subject line, “The Center of Your Celebrations”. No, it wasn’t about the matriarch or patriarch at your holiday dinners. Or even the newest member of the family.

As we open up holiday cards and presents, as fun and festive as they are, it is also good to reflect on how the value of these items pale in comparison to the more meaningful gifts that life offers. Gifts such as spending time with friends and loved ones.

What’s the sentiment at the heart of long term care planning? No, it's not fear. (Of care costs or gaps in Medicare.) It's not even concern. (About medical conditions or Medicaid eligibility.) I’m talking about love. Yes, I know Valentine’s Day is in the rear view mirror. That’s OK. The kind of love I’m talking about transcends flowers and cards.

It is estimated that 44 million people eighteen years of age and older in the United States provide unpaid assistance to adults who are aging or have disabilities. The value of this unpaid group is almost double that of both the nursing home ($115 billion) and home health care industries ($43 billion), coming in at $306 billion annually. While this shows a remarkable amount of care for one’s family and community, evidence shows that most caregivers do not have the necessary support they need and are not prepared for what is required of them.

When people imagine long term care they often envision the elderly being cared for in nursing homes. However, research indicates that more often than not the reality of long term care does not actually reflect this image. In fact, there are several trends that are currently changing the face of long term care in America.