Preparation for potential future costs of damage and long-term care is, unfortunately, a task that everyone faces as they age. You may never need long term care. This year, nearly 9 million men and women over 65 will need long-term care. In 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long term care. Four out of five older adults have a chronic condition. Losses in a person's ability to function day to day are a natural part of aging, and losses are compounded in the elderly.
When the person increased demand for long-term care and can not be met, either within the home or without the involvement of care providers, the largest of what I call the maze of long-term care. The old and the family of the elderly, is embarking on an arduous journey through murky waters. The journey begins with the observation that the current system in our country to address the long-term care is a non-system, a combination of services that meets the needs of the elderly and disabled in the variety of centers, long term care. It is economically inefficient and to ensure the quality of services provided.
Currently, older people finance long-term care services within a variety of sources, including private resources, such as personal savings, care donated by friends and family, and insurance long term care and public programs including Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare pays for health care, as the Part A hospital benefits and medical benefits of Part B. Many of our clients begin their initiation into the maze of long-term care with a stay at the hospital, Medicare pays. Hospitals are under increasing pressure to shorten hospital stay. Patients who are unwilling to return home in time can be downloaded in skilled nursing facilities, limited benefits under Medicare skilled nursing facility. As a result, most people stay for a short period of time skilled nursing care or Medicare benefits exhaust during your stay. Many of our clients and their families believe that Medicare pays for all long-term care. Medicare pays for health care not, care or custody and is strictly limited in time. Medicaid pays for intermediate care in a nursing home, provided the person meets certain income and asset levels and exemptions. VA benefits paid for health care and some costs of long-term care, depending on the installation and condition of the veteran or the spouse of the veteran.
A person who prepares for possible need for long-term care has several options to choose from. One option is to ensure freedom by assigning personal savings and assets, and then supplements the personal resources to care for livestock, or free of family and friends. In fact, most older adults deficiencies are based solely on livestock care and their own savings. A self-assured individual who retains maximum flexibility and control over their savings and assets, but must assume full financial risk of deterioration, which depend on the extent and duration of functional loss. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the elderly in general are not well prepared to meet their long-term care.
Most health systems are ill-equipped to meet the needs of an aging population that has been created to serve. Modern systems of health care is based on the principles of acute care and are dominated by a focus of increasing specialization, efficiency and convenience. This system focuses on curing diseases of the patient and respond immediately to health crises. However, older patients who have chronic illnesses and comorbidities require continuity of care that bridges across traditional boundaries and healthcare facilities. There are three basic flaws in the model of acute care health care. First, it is not compatible with people in self-management of day-to-day chronic disease. Second, does not coordinate or advocate for good chronic care. Thirdly, it provides the necessary support and funding for other than health care or nursing home care.
