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All Virginia citizens can "Own Their Future" by taking time to prepare for their long-term care needs as they age. Planning for long-term care involves more than just purchasing long-term care insurance. Taking control over your health, gaining a better understanding of the various types of long-term services, and exploring housing needs as you age, are other ways to plan for your future.
No one ever said aging would be easy, but there are steps anyone can take to age well! Planning to age well may require effort but it is worth it. Spend a little time examining your lifestyle and consider making changes in your daily routine that will put you on the path to aging well.
Consider speaking with your doctor about dietary needs as you age. Explore how diet impacts your overall health and how improving your diet can minimize chances that you will face problems such as heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Avoid future health concerns by obtaining routine vaccinations and undergoing annual screenings for cancer or other diseases. Consider getting help to reduce or stop tobacco use. Try increasing your level of exercise or if you don’t exercise regularly, think about adding some type of physical activity into your daily routine. Exercise can enhance balance and increase strength, not to mention help keep off unwanted pounds later in life. There are also ways that you can keep your mental skills sharp. Take a continuing education class on an interesting subject or read up on current events. Crossword puzzles and word games also provide a great way to stimulate your mind.
It is also important to pay attention to your mental health. Never underestimate how a positive attitude benefits your overall physical well-being. Maintain contact with friends and don’t turn down invitations to fun events. If your social circle is rather small, consider joining a club or volunteer organization. A mental health professional such as a counselor, therapist or social worker can be a great help in addressing personal problems before they become overwhelming.
Have you heard about “long-term care,” but are not really sure what long-term care services are? Long-term care services include medical and other types of support services provided to individuals who are unable to care for themselves due to an illness, disability, or other condition. These individuals may need assistance with a variety of activities of daily living (ADLs). These activities include bathing, dressing, and eating. Some individuals may need help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation and money management.
Approximately 60 percent of individuals age 65 and older will need long-term care at some point in their lives. Many people prefer to stay in their homes as they age and rely on help from informal, unpaid caregivers, such as family or friends to provide long-term care assistance. Other individuals may hire an aide or helper through a home care agency. Long-term care services can be grouped by the type of care provided. Skilled care includes specialty services such as wound care and physical or speech therapy. Personal or custodial care addresses a person’s need for assistance with daily activities. Most people who require long-term care services need personal care assistance. Supervisory care provides monitoring and supervision in a safe environment for individuals who need assistance with ADLs and may also have a cognitive or memory impairment. Long-term care services can be provided in a variety of locations including a communitybased setting, such as an adult day care or in a home, or in facility-based settings including assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
