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Aging & Disability Resource Center
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Connections for Better Living |
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What is Long-Term Care? |
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Long-term care is a variety of services that includes medical and non-medical care to people who have a chronic illness or disability. Long-term care helps meet health or personal needs. Most long-term care is to assist people with support services such as activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living or in nursing homes. It is important to remember that you may need long-term care at any age. While there are a variety of ways to pay for long-term care, it is important to think ahead about how you will fund the care you get. Medicare doesn’t pay for long-term care. Family Care is Wisconsin’s managed long-term care option that provides services and supports to an individual in a community setting who is eligible, both financially and based on their needs for support. Northern Bridges is our local Family Care agency. Another option within Family Care is called self-directed supports (SDS), which is where an individual has more choice over how support services are provided and by who. If an individual is eligible for long-term care services but they do not want to enroll in a managed care organization, there is another option called Include, Respect, I Self-Direct (IRIS). In this option, the individual directs their own services and supports entirely. Your local Aging & Disability Resource Center can talk to you more about your options and determine if you are eligible. Choosing long-term care is an important decision. Planning for long-term care requires you to think about possible future health care needs. It is important to look at all of your choices. You will have more control over your decision and be able to stay independent. It is important to think about long-term care before you may need care or before a crisis occurs. You can act now to plan for your future by designating someone you trust to make the decisions you want for yourself in the event that you are unable to. Follow this link to learn more about designating a Power of Attorney. Even if you plan ahead, making long-term care decisions can be hard. Our professionals are available to help you explore your options.
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Call Toll Free: 1-888-538-3031 |
