What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care services include various support services designed to support people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other conditions that limit their ability to perform everyday activities independently. Practitioners in the long-term care system encourage people to live healthy lives and better manage their emotional and physical health by providing compassionate and humane nursing care and personal care in their own homes.
This type of care can be provided in a nursing home or a home care arrangement. Family members can provide long-term care at home, but many people require support from trained clinicians. Long-term care includes assistance with daily living activities (such as bathing, washing, dressing, and going to the toilet), mobility assistance, and community services (transportation, adult day care, and preparing meals). Carers outline an individualised care plan that includes the person’s unique requirements, preferences, and boundaries. This enables people with long-term home health care needs to receive tailored care in a respectful and dignified environment.
What Are the Different Types of Home-Based Long-Term Care Services?
Home-based long-term care services involve providing the person with tailored support with everyday activities. This enables people to live independently in their familiar surroundings and the company of their loved ones. In contrast to short-term in-home care, which benefits those recovering from surgery, long-term care is suitable for people who require ongoing support.
Carers usually provide long-term care at home and may involve professionals employed through home healthcare agencies, such as therapists and nurses. These care services include the following types of care:
Homemaking services include managing day-to-day household tasks such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, light housekeeping (laundry, cleaning, tidying), and running errands.
Personal care – assistance with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and continence care, eating and meal assistance, or mobility support (e.g., transferring from bed to wheelchair).
Healthcare services include medical care and health monitoring at home, such as nursing care services (wound care, medication administration, and catheter care), physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy sessions, monitoring of chronic health conditions, and palliative care and end-of-life care services.
Companion services with a focus on emotional companionship and support, such as spending time with the person to prevent loneliness, engaging in activities like reading, playing games, or taking walks, and providing transportation for social outings or appointments.
Respite care which is a temporary relief for primary caregivers. For example, short-term caregiving allows family members or carers to take a break or meal preparation and monitoring during the caregiver’s absence.
Transportation services – transporting people to medical appointments, restaurants, shopping centres, or attending community events.
Rehabilitation services to restore or maintain physical function through physical therapy for mobility and strength improvement, occupational therapy for adapting daily tasks and environments, and speech therapy for communication and swallowing challenges.
Hospice and Palliative care provide comfort and a decent quality of life for people with severe and terminal illnesses through pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support for both the person and their family, as well as support with end-of-life planning.
Who Needs Long-Term Care?
Long-term care at home is a suitable option for people with ongoing, complex health conditions or disabilities. These people’s support needs often develop gradually, making them more likely to need it as they age. However, they may suddenly need it in some cases—for example, after a stroke or heart attack.
Factors like living arrangements, gender, and socioeconomic status may increase the possibility of requiring long-term home care.
The primary groups requiring long-term care include:
Older People
Ageing Population: As people age, they may experience physical or cognitive decline, making it challenging to manage daily tasks independently. In 2021, the NHS estimated that 24% of men and 28% of women aged 65 and over needed support with at least one daily living task.
Increased Longevity: According to the United Nations, the number of people aged 80 and above is projected to grow significantly, leading to a higher demand for long-term care services.
People Recovering from Serious Medical Events
Post-Hospitalisation: After significant medical events like strokes or surgeries, people may require temporary long-term care during their recovery period.
People with Chronic Illnesses
Long-Term Health Conditions: Chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or severe arthritis can impair a person’s ability to perform daily tasks, necessitating long-term care.
People With a Disability
Physical Disabilities: People with physical impairments may require assistance with mobility, personal care, and other daily activities.
Learning Disabilities: People with a learning disability often need support to live independently and become active citizens in community life.
People with Chronic Illnesses
Long-Term Health Conditions: Chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or severe arthritis can impair a person’s ability to perform daily tasks, necessitating long-term care.
People with Cognitive Impairments
Dementia and Alzheimer’s: Cognitive impairments can lead to difficulties in managing daily life, increasing the need for specialised long-term care services.
The Aim of Long-Term Care
Long-term care services have more complex, interdisciplinary goals than short-term or acute care. While acute care is focused on returning the person to a previous level of independent functioning, long-term care seeks to encourage social adjustment to eventual health decline and prevent deterioration. Thus, long-term carers permanently accommodate people who require additional care and minimise the social barriers imposed on them.
The primary aims of long-term care include:
Promoting Independence: Assisting people in maintaining as much autonomy as possible by providing support tailored to their specific needs
Enhancing Quality of Life: Offering support that improves their overall well-being, addressing both physical and emotional health.
Preventing Functional Decline: Implementing measures to prevent, reduce, or rehabilitate functional decline, enabling people to live safely and comfortably in their chosen environment.
Providing Bespoke Support: Delivering humanised support, including personal care, social care and assistance with daily activities, to meet diverse needs.
Supporting Caregivers: Providing resources and respite to family members and informal caregivers, acknowledging their crucial role in the care system.
Long-Term Care Planning
One can never be sure whether they will eventually require long-term care. Even without a family history, people can develop an illness or suffer an unexpected injury that suddenly affects their everyday lives. Therefore, planning and ensuring you can access long-term care before you need it is wise. Learning about care costs and available services in your community enables you to make an informed decision for yourself or a loved one.
Regardless of your financial situation, you are entitled to a care needs assessment from the social care department in your local authority.
Steps for Long-Term Care Planning:
Assess potential care needs.
Understand the costs involved, whether for home care services or care homes.
Explore funding options (NHS and local authority support)
Seek professional advice. Specialists in long-term care planning can offer tailored advice.
Stay informed about policy changes. Government policies on social care funding are subject to change, so staying updated will help you make informed decisions.
Depending on your area, if your assets and savings are below the particular limit, you may be eligible for state-sponsored NHS funding for your care needs. The funding you will receive is estimated according to your healthcare needs (based on the care needs assessment) and the amount of money you can pay yourself (based on a financial assessment).
Benefits of Long-Term Care
Long-term care insurance is a vital investment in a safe future if a person develops a complex condition or faces an abrupt health care challenge. Access to professional long-term care is beneficial not only for the individual but also offers peace of mind for the whole family. While nursing home healthcare is still a common choice for many people, long-term care at home offers a revolutionary outlook on personal care and assistance.
The positive outcomes of long-term care at home:
It allows people to stay in a familiar environment.
Promotes independence and comfort.
Often more cost-effective than residential care.
Provides flexibility in tailoring care to specific needs.
Reduces the burden on family caregivers while ensuring quality care.
A close family member may initially provide care at home for a loved one with a learning disability, neurodevelopmental condition, or chronic illness. However, this demanding job requires 24-hour assistance and may overwhelm an unqualified primary caregiver and requires temporary breaks (covered by respite care). Long-term care is a permanent solution covering the person’s needs in their home. Let’s get more in-depth of the benefits of this type of care:
- Professional health care: On-hand medical attention from trained practitioners prepared to help with various conditions and symptoms. A long-term carer is equipped with expertise and a care plan about the person's condition and can reduce triggers for behaviours of concern.
- Social care involves encouraging meaningful social interactions with relatives and friends and promoting the person's active involvement in the local community.
- Respectful environment: Carers in long-term services get to know the person's needs and always prioritise their wishes. They must respect their home as an intimate space and their workplace.
- Nutritious diet: The care provider prepares meals according to healthy, nutritious standards. Healthy dietary habits significantly enhance physical and mental health.
- Regular physical activity: In some cases, carers may collaborate with a physical or occupational therapist to ensure the person follows a healthy exercise routine.
- Emotional companionship: Dedicated and empathetic approach throughout the person's healthcare journey, paying special attention to their self-esteem and emotional well-being.
How to Choose Long-Term Care for Your Loved Ones
Disability is not a diagnosis; instead, it is a broad term that entails a variety of conditions that affect a person’s ability to perform specific tasks or participate in everyday activities. It is important to recognise that each person with a disability has unique needs, which can change over time. When choosing long-term care for your loved ones, it’s crucial to focus on understanding the specific requirements of their condition rather than viewing disability as a singular diagnosis. Tailoring care plans to these individual needs ensures that your loved one receives the appropriate support, helping them maintain a high quality of life and independence for as long as possible.
Mitch is a young man who is autistic and lives with a learning disability and cerebral palsy. Read Mitch’s story and witness how Positive Risk-Taking and holistic support enabled him to reduce his behavioural challenges.
Also, you can watch Mitch’s care journey with Leaf Complex Care!
Our care team’s purpose is to support the people we serve throughout their care journey. We offer tailored, individualised home support that allows people to stay close to their families. Contact us here or visit our Bristol, South East, Birmingham, or Somerset office for more information.
