Nurses: The Unsung Heroes Often Overlooking Their Own Long-Term Care
Within the complex world of medical care, nurses stand out as the quiet champions, relentlessly serving with dedication, even at the cost of their own health. Their commitment is truly remarkable; however, an underlying issue persists. Many nurses inadvertently overlook planning for their own future long-term care needs, either under the assumption that they are exempt from the challenges of getting older or with the belief that they can tend to their partners as they age.
The number of active working nurses in the U.S. who are over 40 is expected to reach 3.8 million by 2024. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), there were approximately 2.3 million R.N.s over the age of 50 in the U.S. in 2022, representing about 59% of the total number of working nurses in the U.S.
The Physical Rigors of Nursing
At the forefront of health, nursing demands long hours, physical exertion, and the shouldering of immense responsibilities. Nurses face work shifts that stretch beyond the typical eight-hour mark, frequent lifting or repositioning of patients, and the hustle of tending to multiple patients all culminate in physical strain.
During the COVID-19 virus crisis, they faced head-on the dangers to their health as they tended to those with often significant health challenges. One should not dismiss the mental health challenges nurses and other health professionals faced during this time.
At the forefront of health, nursing demands long hours, physical exertion, and the shouldering of immense responsibilities. Nurses face work shifts that stretch beyond the typical eight-hour mark, frequently lifting or repositioning patients and the hustle of tending to multiple patients, all culminating in physical strain. Some may also be pursuing additional qualifications, such as online MSN PMHNP programs, in their spare time, adding to their mental load outside of the workplace.
Over time, these continuous stresses nurses face can escalate into chronic health issues, such as musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular problems, and mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and burnout.
Nurses often have to be strong and tireless, lifting patients and pulling long hours. Plus, they're around sick people all the time. This can wear on their bodies, leaving them tired and even at risk for getting sick themselves.
Nurses Have Direct Contact with Illness
Furthermore, the demands of their profession put nurses in direct contact with various infections and illnesses, amplifying their own health vulnerabilities. Yet, in the face of these risks, many nurses prioritize their patients' well-being, often sidelining their health concerns. This admirable dedication has drawbacks, particularly when one contemplates future repercussions.
Kelly Hancock, DNP, R.N., NE-BC, FAAN, Executive Chief Nursing Officer for Cleveland Clinic, says it is important to support nurses.
As health care continues to evolve, more than ever, today's nurses are faced with added stress and pressure. Their roles are expanding, they are continuously learning new processes and technologies, and the pace of all this change is incredibly fast.
Hancock says that when a nurse's personal wellness suffers, they are unable to be at their best, either for themselves, their patients, or their families.
Misconception of Immunity to Aging Issues
Despite being experts in medical care, many nurses often overlook their health and aging needs. It's easy to think that their medical know-how keeps them safe from common health issues. Some even believe working closely with patients makes them more resistant to illnesses. But knowing about health doesn't mean they're immune to it.
Knowledge of health doesn't equate to having immunity from it.
The irony isn't lost: the very professionals we rely on for health care guidance sometimes fail to heed their own advice. This oversight becomes particularly glaring in the context of long-term care planning.
Long-Term Care: The Overlooked Aspect
Unless they work in the long-term care sector, nurses are not unlike many people who share the widespread belief that health insurance or Medicare will take care of long-term care expenses. This misunderstanding can lead to devastating financial and emotional consequences down the road. Traditional health insurance and Medicare generally don't cover long-term care costs, which can quickly drain savings and place undue stress on family members.
Planning for future long-term health care is essential for everyone, including health care professionals. As individuals age, the likelihood of requiring assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating, among others, increases.
Given their profession's physical demands, nurses may find themselves needing such care even sooner than the general population. Nurses are especially vulnerable to joint problems. A study by the American Nurses Association found that about 40% of nurses have experienced joint pain in the past year.
The physical demands of nursing can strain joints, especially the knees, hips, and shoulders. Nurses are often required to lift and move patients, which can stress these joints. They may also spend long periods of time standing or sitting, which can further contribute to joint pain.
In fact, a significant amount of Long-Term Care Insurance claims are related to arthritis and joint-related conditions.
Challenges of Being a Caregiver
Many nurses believe they can naturally step into the role of caregivers for their spouses in their later years. This notion, born from a genuine sense of duty and love, might be missing a critical point. As nurses get older, they, too, will face health issues that could prevent them from effectively caring for someone else.
The physical and emotional toll of caregiving is significant. Even with their medical background, nurses need to understand that their training might not fully prepare them for the intense challenges of personal caregiving in their later years. An 82-year-old nurse is still age 82!
Prioritizing Self-Care and Planning Before Retirement
Nurses need to take a moment and think about their future health and care needs. By planning ahead, they're looking out for themselves and their loved ones and setting a good example for their patients and the community. It's about changing the story from putting oneself last to recognizing one's own needs.
Given their deep knowledge of health, nurses have a unique chance to lead the way. Taking steps like considering Long-Term Care Insurance can protect their future and highlight the need for everyone to plan ahead. After all, while caring for others, it's essential to remember to care for oneself too.
With long-term care costs increasing rapidly, the consequences of aging affect your family and finances. Retirement plans often fail to consider the effects of long-term care.
Most people start thinking about adding Long-Term Care Insurance to their retirement plan in their 40 or 50s as part of overall retirement planning.