Long-Term Care Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is long-term care?
Answer: Long-Term Care is care provided to people of all ages, who need help with activities of daily living, or supervision of someone who is cognitively impaired, has a degenerative condition, may have a prolonged illness, may have chronic health care needs, may live at home or in a nursing home, or may need mental or physical rehabilitation services. LTC can be provided at home, in a nursing home, in an adult day care setting, or in an assisted living facility.
Long-term care includes a wide range of health and personal care services, from simple assisted living arrangements to intensive nursing home care for disabled or elderly, to respiratory therapy. It may include services such as children’s feeding programs, nutritional services, occupational and physical therapy, or skilled nursing care.
Long-Term care provides the quality of care and quality of life needed for those facing a serious or long-term health care need. For those living in rural areas, Long-Term health care needs may also be magnified, including lack of services, long distances from clinics and hospitals, lack of health care personnel or lack of home health agencies.
Question: What is respite care?
Answer: Respite care is care provided by a substitute provider. This can be for a few hours to a few days. The purpose of respite care is to give time off to the regular caregiver. An example is adult day care. Adult day care provides respite for caregivers and a welcome change of scene for seniors. Adult day care programs follow either a social model or medical model.
Social programs may focus on providing companionship or on hobbies or other special interests, while medical programs may focus on providing therapies such as dialysis, ventilation and rehabilitation. Adult day services are community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and-or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care. These programs provide a variety of health, social, and other related support services in a protective setting.
Question: Where can I find out about long-term care services or benefits for veterans?
Answer: The Veterans' Administration (VA) offers a Special Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit. This Special Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. It is not a benefit for a person needing housekeeping or respite or part time care. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies. There are stipulations.
For further information see Veterans Pension Planners (formerly Veterans Express), which is dedicated to assisting seniors and veterans interested in assisted living and receiving the benefits to help pay for their services and rent. Also see the RAC Returning Soldier and Veteran Health topic guide. You can also contact the United States Department of Veterans Affairs directly at 800.827.1000.
Question: What is PACE and does it work in rural communities?
Answer: Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), addresses the needs of long-term care clients, providers, and payers. PACE provides programs that coordinate and provide needed preventive, primary, acute and long term care services to older individuals so they can continue to live in their community. Participants must be at least 55 years old, live in the PACE service area, and be certified as eligible for nursing home care by the appropriate State agency. For more information on PACE programs, call 703.535.1565.
Question: Is there a list of state nursing home associations?
Answer: Yes. The American Health Care Association provides a list of state nursing home associations. These associations provide a viable voice in the states' long term care concerns.
Question: How is long-term care paid for? Is there insurance for this?
Answer: Long-term care is paid for either by private funds, through long-term care insurance, through commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. All of these have requirements and limitations.
Information on paying for long-term care can be found through the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program. The American Health Care Association also provides information on paying for long-term care.
Question: What happens when a resident runs out of money?
Answer: When private pay residents have used nearly all of their financial resources, they become eligible for Medicaid. When they reach Medicaid eligibility, residents can't be "kicked out" of a nursing home.
Question: What is the Meals-on-Wheels program and how can I find out if there is a program in my area?
Answer: The Meals on Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need. This program provides one hot meal per day to seniors. The guiding principle to which it subscribes is to help those men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail, or at risk. It also gives cash grants to local senior meal programs throughout the country to assist in providing meals and other nutrition services. The Meals-on-Wheels website has a complete listing of all programs throughout the United States.
Some Meals-on-Wheels programs provide congregate meals in addition to home delivered meals. Congregate programs are simply programs that serve at senior centers, where seniors can come and eat their meal in the company of others. While this is not a rare type of program, it is certainly less common so you should check with your local program to see whether or not they have a congregate program.
The Meals on Wheels Association Rural Initiative Program was established to help those seniors who live in rural areas and focuses on issues such as having to drive greater distances to deliver meals, costs per meal, and lack of volunteers to deliver in rural areas.
Question: What is an ombudsman?
Answer: An ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, and assisted living. Ombudsmen provide information about how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. Ombudsmen are dedicated to enhancing the lives of long term care residents. They are trained to resolve problems. If you want, the ombudsman can assist you with complaints.
Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system. To find the ombudsman nearest you, contact your State Ombudsman office or contact the National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center.
Question: What is the difference between assisted living and nursing home care?
Answer: The definition of assisted living varies. According to AARP,
assisted living is a philosophy, which involves meeting a resident's scheduled and unscheduled needs; maximizing a resident's independence, privacy, autonomy, and dignity; minimizing the need for a resident to move when his or her needs change; and providing a homelike environment. Assisted living facilities vary greatly. Some are senior apartments that provide some meals and light housekeeping with a weekly visit by a nurse. Others provide additional services such as daily medication assistance, bathing assistance, and three meals a day.
People in assisted living can live independently in most cases but some do better with some assistance. There are those who don't require assistance at all but prefer the assisted living environment. They like the amenities, such as housekeeping, not having to worry about a lawn, and having other people around. If they need assistance at some point, it's available.
Nursing home care is a skilled care facility that provides nursing or personal care services to those who are aged, infirm, or chronically ill, including children through adults. Nursing home residents cannot live independently, but they do not need to be in a hospital. Their care usually involves assistance with mobility, eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, medication administration, and physical or mental disabilities.
Last reviewed 12/13/2011
