Senior citizens in the State of California have numerous options when it comes to long-term care. Long-term care comprises many types of support services and medical services that happen over a lengthy time. Although long-term care services do not involve just senior citizens, if someone is 75 years of age or older, there is a strong chance that he or she will require these services at some point in the future.

If you or a person you love is interested in learning more about long-term care options and the costs that are associated with long-term care (including Medicare and Medicaid options), an experienced California elder law attorney may be able to assist.

Reasons Why Elderly Individuals Often Require Long-Term Care

There are numerous reasons why elderly individuals in California may require long-term care services. In some instances, the elderly person might need physical therapy or some other form of rehabilitation following a stay at the hospital. At other times, the individual may need to undergo therapy and rehabilitation following a surgical procedure or while recovering from an illness or injury. Long-term care is also necessary for medical services at the end of a person’s life.

In addition, some elderly individuals need long-term care services if they find themselves suffering from a permanent disability or medical condition, including chronic pain. In these instances, the individual may need long-term supervision at a care center and/or help with daily care and living activities.

Elderly individuals who suffer from chronic, long-term memory impairments, including dementia and Alzheimer‘s Disease, may also need to take advantage of long-term care services that are available in their area. Similarly, a sudden illness, including a heart attack or stroke, may render the individual incapacitated and in need of these services.

Common Factors that Increase an Elderly Individual’s Need for Long-Term Care Services

Some factors and characteristics lead to the need for long-term care services among elderly individuals in California, including the following:

• Advancing age– As people advance in age, they are more likely to require these services.
  ● Habits and choices in lifestyle – Individuals who are inactive are more likely to require long-term care services.
  ● Sex – Since women statistically live longer than men, they are more likely to require these services than men.

In addition to these factors, an elderly individual’s overall medical condition and any family history that they may have learnt from resources like this social security death index can impact his or her need for long-term care services.

Types of Long-Term Care

When it comes to long-term care, individuals have options, depending upon their circumstances. One option is an assisted living facility, where the elderly individual is independent but where there is usually an on-call nurse or caregiver who is always present at the facility. Another option is in-home care, where the elderly individual remains in his or her own home, and a nurse or other caregiver stops in on a regular basis to assist the resident – often with daily living tasks. A final option is a nursing home or convalescent center, where the resident will receive medical care around the clock.

For more options about long-term care services and the costs associated with those services, you should speak with a California elder law attorney today.