The month of November is long term care awareness month and we here at Brookhouse Home see first-hand the great benefits of long-term care and support. Long-term support services may be provided in the home, community-based settings, or in senior residences such as rest homes. It includes a wide range of services to help people live more independently by assisting with personal and healthcare needs, and activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, medication administration, and mobility needs. Most families want to care for their loved ones in ways that preserve their dignity, honor cultural traditions, and allows them to live in their homes and remain a part of their community as much as possible.
Americans are living longer in large part due to advances in medical care and public health, but longer life may also present increased incidence of chronic illness and disabilities, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. It is important to maintain mobility as long as possible and encourage appropriate physical activity. Activities are now available to keep our elder population moving, such as walking groups and exercise classes specific to the senior population. For those with limited mobility and assistive needs, wheelchairs, seating options, standing and raising devices, patient lifts, as well as therapeutic support surfaces, are available to keep the individual moving as much as their condition will permit to promote healing, independence and well-being.
Important Long-Term Care Facts
– 78% of adults who are getting long-term care at home rely solely on family and friends for their assistance
– The average caregiver is a woman around 46 years of age
– On average, the caregiver spends about 21 hours per week assisting their patient or family member
– Over 90% of family caregivers had to alter their work schedule permanently due to caring for their loved one
– Around 40% of caregivers have had to switch from working full-time, to part-time.
– Close to half said they had to skip vacation and other personal activities in order to take adequate care of their loved one
– 29% had to use their own money in providing care
– More than 10% had to move in order to be closer to their family member in need of care
– Around 10% had to take a pay cut at their full-time job
4 Ways To Support Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Now that you know a little about the state of long-term care, you can begin exploring ways to acknowledge long-term care awareness month. The following suggestions offer excellent opportunities to do that while also celebrating care givers and receivers.
1. Celebrate Caregivers
Take the time to recognize and thank caregivers in your life or community. If you need some ideas to help you get started, consider providing a catered lunch for the staff at a local nursing home or treating a family caregiver to a spa day. These gestures can really brighten the day of those who routinely care for others.
2. Support a Local Organization
Take the time to donate to your local organizations during long-term care awareness month.
If you have a local nursing home or assisted living facility in your neighborhood, see how you can support them. Many can use help with things like supply drives, fundraisers, and teachers for classes. Find one that has needs you can meet and partner with them to help enrich the lives of those receiving care.
3. Establish a Long-Term Care Plan
There isn’t a much better way to honor the occasion than to plan for your own future care needs. Sit down with an attorney and develop a plan for your own care. Include your wishes for medical support and types of living arrangements. Also, consider the cost and see if long-term care insurance is a good choice for you.
4. Show Support on Social Media
Take your awareness and support online by sharing how long-term care has impacted you on social media. Some ideas for thoughtful posts include: Post stories about how a care provider improved your life or that of a loved one
Share pictures of caregivers at work
If you do share pictures of caregivers at work, make sure to get permission from them and their clients first. Remember, even small gestures can mean a lot.
