Short-Term vs. Long-Term Care: What’s the Difference - A Guide for Families
In today's aging society, where one in six Americans is over the age of 65, the need for quality caregiving services is increasing. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, there were approximately 53 million family caregivers in the United States in 2020. American families need help providing quality care services.
Caregiving options offer both short-term and long-term home care services to enhance the quality of life and provide the necessary services for the care recipient. Understanding the differences between these options is crucial, as the challenges of being a nurse practitioner and other healthcare professionals who advise patients on their care needs and provide the necessary care services are increasing due to the increasing demand for extended healthcare services.
Understanding the differences between short-term and long-term care can help you and other family members make informed decisions about your loved ones' needs.
Short-Term Care: Temporary Assistance
Short-term care, usually called rehabilitation care, provides temporary assistance for individuals recovering from injuries, illnesses, or surgeries. Depending on the individual's requirements, these services are generally provided temporarily for a set period of time, which could be anywhere from a few days to a few months at a time.
Health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, will pay for short-term skilled care, including rehabilitation care.
Examples of short-term care services include:
- Post-surgical care: Wound care, pain management, and assistance with mobility.
- Rehabilitation services: Physical, occupational, or speech therapy to help with recovery.
- Respite care: Provides a break for primary caregivers.
- Nursing care: Monitoring medical conditions, administering medication, and changing dressings.
Short-term or rehabilitation care should not be confused with short-term cash indemnity insurance. These policies look and act similar to Long-Term Care Insurance, but benefits are paid over a shorter period of time.
Long-Term Care: Ongoing Support
Long-term care is designed for individuals with chronic, progressive, and aging conditions that require ongoing support. It focuses on managing the patient's condition and improving their quality of life.
Examples of long-term care services include:
- Assistance with daily living activities: Bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, personal hygiene, and mobility.
- Support for instrumental activities of daily living: Meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, shopping, and medication management.
- Medical care: Medication administration, wound care, pain management, and injections.
- Rehabilitation services: Physical and occupational therapy to improve function and manage symptoms.
- Social and recreational activities: Group activities, outings, and companionship.
- Supervision: Supervision and ADL/IADL assistance for those with dementia, including Alzheimer's
- End-of-life and palliative care: Support for individuals nearing the end of life.
Health insurance and Medicare, including supplements, will only pay for short-term skilled care (100 days) and will not pay for any custodial care, primarily intended to help with daily living activities or supervision due to a memory decline.
Medicaid will pay for long-term care for those with limited financial resources.
Long-Term Care Insurance will pay for all types of long-term care services. However, someone must have a policy in force before needing care. LTC policies are usually purchased before retirement, usually between ages 45 and 67.
Choosing the Right Type of Care
The best type of care for your loved one depends on their specific needs, conditions, and preferences. Consider the following factors:
- Level of care required: Assess the extent of assistance needed for daily living activities and medical care.
- Duration of care: Determine whether the care is needed for a short or extended period.
- Financial resources: Explore available funding options, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
- Personal preferences: Consider your loved one's wishes regarding where they want to receive care.
Family members are usually unprepared and untrained to provide any type of care, especially skilled services like nursing and rehabilitation.
Additional Considerations
- Caregiver burnout: Caregiving can be physically and emotionally demanding. Consider respite care to give yourself a break and seek support from family, friends, or support groups.
- In-home care vs. assisted living, memory care or nursing home care: Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of receiving care at home versus in a specialized facility.
- Quality of care: Research different providers to ensure they meet high quality and safety standards.
The cost of long-term care services depends on the required services and where you live. The LTC News Cost of Care Calculator will show the current and future cost of care services based on your zip code.
Find Quality Care Near You
The LTC News Caregiver Directory has over 80,000 caregivers, home health agencies, senior communities, adult day care centers, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes. You can search for the type of services your loved one requires based on where you live.
Understanding the differences between short-term and long-term care and making informed decisions can help ensure your loved one receives the best possible care.
While thinking about the needs of your older family members, be sure to consider your future needs. Your retirement plan should include Long-Term Care Insurance.