Many people have perceptions of what the later years of life look like – especially when they’re lived at a long-term care facility.
At Embassy Healthcare, we know many of these long-term care myths are ingrained into the minds of many, even if they are far from the truth. Here, we’ll take a realistic look of many of these common misconceptions about aging and care facilities.
- I’m not old enough to require long-term care: About 8% of people between the ages of 40-50 have health issues that could require long-term care, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Those with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or have an accident could find themselves in such a situation.
- Americans send older relatives to facilities in droves: The common perception is that once Mom and Dad reach a certain age, their families send them to skilled nursing facilities. Actually, just less than 5% of senior citizens living in such communities. This myth lends itself to the notion that family members abandon their loved ones late in life.
- You have to get rid of all assets to qualify for Medicaid: Financing long-term care is commonly misunderstood. In Ohio, a single person can’t keep more than $2,000 in qualifying assets to receive Medicaid, but many assets are considered exempt, as detailed here. Different rules apply for married couples, when both spouses are applying and when just one spouse is applying.
- My family will keep me at home with them: While your family may indeed want to keep you with them for as long as possible, don’t assume that will continue forever. Many adult children find the caregiving duties for a parent may be difficult to blend with the daily responsibilities of work and their own family, especially on a long-term basis.
- Medicare will cover the long-term care expenses: Medicare is not a way to pay for long-term care if that’s the only care required, because that’s not considered medical care. It may cover certain skilled care for shorter amounts of time, but don’t plan on it paying for everything.
- There’s nothing you can do to prevent falls in seniors: Falling does not have to be a normal part of the aging process. Falls are a main source of injury for older adults, but their risk can be minimized with strength and balancing exercises performed in therapy.
- Long-term insurance will pay for all needs: While many Americans do not have long-term care insurance – perhaps due to its average annual cost of $2,700 – even those that do may find it doesn’t cover everything. The reality is that it may cover up to 70% of care expenses.
For more information about services available at Embassy Healthcare’s communities throughout Ohio, call us at 888-975-1379 or contact us online.