In-Home Long-Term Care, Caregiver
If you’re elderly loved one is ready for long-term care, you may believe that a nursing home or assisted living residence is their only option. But that’s simply not true! In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, the majority of aging seniors receive long-term care within their community, usually at home. In most cases, that care is provided by a member of their family.
But what if instead of a family member doing the care, a professional and caring caregiver takes over?
At FCP Live-In, we believe everyone should be able to age with dignity, in the comfort of familiar surroundings. We understand in-home caring and have developed plans that take care of the needs of the individual at home. Our experienced and compassionate caregivers can provide a range of long-term care services custom-designed to meet your loved one’s individual needs, regardless of their physical and cognitive limitations:
- Alzheimer’s Care
- Companion Care
- Dehydration Prevention Care
- Dementia Care
- End-of-Life Care
- Fall Prevention Care
- Heart Disease / Stroke Care
- Hospice In-Home Care
- Hospital Discharge Safely Care
- Palliative Care
- Parkinson’s Disease Care
With FCP Live-In, affordable, quality long-term care really is possible. Let us treat your loved one like family! Call directly at 1 (866) 559-9492.
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care is provided to people unable to meet all of their daily needs on their own, usually due to age-related issues.
However, long-term care may also be necessary for those living with cognitive or physical disabilities, regardless of age. As people grow older, they often need help with the “activities of daily living,” such as bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management. In fact, personal care is the most frequently utilized long-term care service.
Temporary long-term care is appropriate for:
- Post-hospital discharge rehabilitation
- Post-surgery rehabilitation
- Recovery after serious injury or illness
- Recovery after a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening medical event.
- Hospice or end-of-life care
However, long-term care is also a permanent option for:
- Permanent disability
- Severe, chronic pain
- Parkinson’s disease and other chronic conditions
- Those requiring assistance with “activities of daily living”
- Cognitive impairment related to a brain injury
- Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia
Options for Long-Term Care
About 12% of Americans receive long-term care in an institution, usually a skilled nursing home or assisted living facility.
Long-Term Care in Assisted Living
In general, assisted living is designed for seniors who want to – and are able to – maintain as much independence as possible. For that reason, they’re usually not the best choice for someone with severe mobility issues or dementia. Residents are required to transfer to a skilled nursing home once their physical or cognitive impairments progress beyond a certain point.
Assisted living is also extremely expensive, and may deplete your loved one’s financial resources within a fairly short time-frame. If this occurs, they may have no choice but to move to a Medicaid nursing home before you have to, even if they’re not ready for that level of care.
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Nursing Care
Nursing homes are intended to provide 24/7 skilled medical care to people who can no longer care for themselves.
For many seniors, the transition to a skilled nursing home is extremely difficult, especially if they find the atmosphere cold, sterile, and hospital-like. In general, privacy is minimal, and some nursing homes even require residents to share a room. Strict visiting hours and limited time with family and friends can lead to isolation and depression. One-on-one care usually isn’t possible, even in a well-staffed nursing home. In fact, residents frequently compete with each other for the staff’s limited attention.
Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to neglect, especially if they suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other conditions that inhibit their ability to effectively communicate their needs. They also continue to face the threat of abuse. In fact, according to a February 2019 study, more than 1/3 of elderly long-term care residents reported being victims of psychological abuse, 14% said they had experienced physical abuse, and nearly 2% said they had been sexually abused.
Unfortunately, the actual frequency is likely much higher, as research suggests roughly 1 out of every 4 cases of nursing home abuse and neglect are never reported.
Family Caregivers | Long-Term Caregivers
As previously noted, the majority of seniors receive long-term care in the home, usually from an unpaid family caregiver. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, approximately 25% of American adults 18 years of age and older reported providing care or assistance to a person with a long-term illness or disability in the past 30 days.
This isn’t surprising, as most people would prefer to age at home if given a choice. Such arrangements allow elderly people to maintain as much independence as possible. And many find the happy memories of home, as well as the ability of friends and family to visit whenever they like, a great source of comfort.
However, caring for an aging loved places significant burdens on caregivers and their families. For example, more than 60% of family caregivers in a recent survey said they had reduced work hours, taken a leave of absence, or made other career changes in order to meet their caregiving responsibilities. Half said they’ve been late to work or had to leave work early, and 1 in 5 reported financial hardship.
According to an insurance industry study, family caregivers over the age of 50 who leave the workforce lose, on average, $304,000 in wages and benefits over their lifetimes.
Family caregiving is also associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression; more frequent use of psychoactive medications; worse self-reported physical health; compromised immune function; and an increased risk of early death.
Why FCP Live-In is Your Best Choice for Long Term Live-In Care
Fortunately, there is a better way.
At FCP Live-In, our long-term care specialists can create a customized plan designed to ease your burden and ensure your loved one receives all of the non-medical support and one-on-one assistance they need to live a safe and fulfilling life at home:
- Meal planning and preparation
- Medication management
- Assistance with all Activities of Daily Living
- Light housekeeping/laundry
- Escorts to doctor’s appointments
- Help with shopping and errands
- Opportunities for fulfilling social engagements
In most cases, we can provide long-term care at every stage of the aging process through end of life, and in coordination with your loved one’s other medical providers.
What to Expect from FCP Live-In Caregiving
We understand that a careful and thoughtful approach to the client-caregiver match is vital to the success of any long-term care program. That’s why all of our live-in caregivers undergo a strict screening and hiring process, are fully-credentialed as a certified nursing assistant, home health aide, or personal care assistant, and provided with ongoing training.
Once your loved one’s live-in care team is in place, you can expect:
- A professional line of communication with their doctors and other medical providers.
- Random field supervisor visits to ensure every caregiver lives up to our strict quality standards.
- Regular interaction between our dedicated service team and live-in care staff, family members, and field supervisors, so your loved one’s long-term care plan continues to meet their changing needs.
If you’re ready to explore the BEST solution for long-term care, call 1 (866) 559-9492.
About FCP Live-In And Long-Term Caregiver Services
We have provided the ultimate solution in assisted long-term care programs since 1997. Our live-in long-term care services agency is committed to providing a unique and customized In-Home caregiver services approach to senior care with the goal of a lifestyle that provides enjoyment for the one in care, and families with peace of mind.
FCP Live-In is a Live-In Home Care company with over two decades of experience specializing in elderly care needs within the home. Our live-in caregiver staff provides an insurance policy of safe and supportive care, along with a 24/7 professional support system that is there for the client and the live-in caregiver at all times.
LINK: https://www.hhs.gov/aging/long-term-care/index.html
LINK: https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/29/1/58/5033581
LINK: https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region1/11700504.pdf
LINK: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/index.htm