You must have often heard people telling you to start preparing for long-term care, as you start your retirement planning. The question is, how are the two related to each other? The thing is, if you want to live a long and healthy life, it is about time you start considering the possibility of getting long-term care for yourself as well as your spouse. Because, according to reports, as people start to age, the demand for long-term care services also increases. If you need an advisor to help out with your retirement planning, head to this page. 

What is long-term care?

When people receive assistance in living their daily life, it is known as long-term care. Such kinds of assistance are usually provided by professionals who are trained in doing that. Some of the activities in daily living that these professionals help out with include eating, bathing, using the toilet, transferring, dressing, and continence. 

Three levels of long-term care:

In general, it has been seen that people usually prefer long-term care on three levels: at their homes, in nursing homes, and in assisted living facilities.

Long-term care at home:

When a person goes for long-term care at home, a nurse or a professional visits them at their home to provide them with whatever assistance they require. Among all types, long-term care at home is the most popular, as the patients do not need to leave their homes. This type of arrangement is often also known as “aging in place.”

Assisted living facilities:

Unlike long-term care at homes, in assisted living facilities, the patients are transferred to a community, where they are given many facilities. These facilities may include housecleaning, cooking, and other duties that the patient is unable to perform. In case of any emergencies, medical professionals are also present in these facilities.

Nursing home care:

This one needs no introduction and people are usually aware of them. Note that patients who require advanced long-term care are often recommended nursing home care as the professionals are watching over the patients at all hours. However, if a patient wants a private room, it can cost thousands of dollars.

Final thoughts:

The cost of living with long-term care can vary immensely depending on which state you live in and which type of long-term care you are going for. Given that Medicare usually does not cover these expenses, you need to start this planning while working on your retirement plan.