Why Should Women Make Long-Term Nursing Care a Priority?
With 10,000 people turning 65 every day, aging and long-term care are important topics for millions of people and their families. That is why many people especially women should make long-term nursing care a priority. It not only gives you peace of mind, but it can also save you money in the long term if you have a plan in place in case you or a loved one becomes unable to live independently.
What Does Long-Term Nursing Care Entail?
Let’s start by defining long-term care. Long-term nursing care entails rehabilitative, restorative, and skilled nursing care that is required for an extended length of time.
A long-term nursing care facility, often known as a long-term nursing home, provides frequent hands-on care to those who require it, unlike assisted living. Most daily routines, such as washing, clothing, and grooming, are often difficult for these seniors.
Residents of these facilities also require expert nursing care in order to meet their medical requirements. While long-term care may appear to be a permanent choice, it may only be available temporarily if the resident is recovering from a serious injury or disease.
Before going further, Checkout: Long-Term Care – The Costs and How You Can Prepare
Services Offered By Long-Term Care Facility
A long-term care facility offers a wide range of services such as:
- Physical aid
- Emotional and mental support
Doctors, nurses, aides, social workers, physical therapists, and other professionals can be found in these types of settings.
Also Read: How to Assess a Senior’s Needs and Make a Care Plan
Why Should Women Make Long-Term Nursing Care a Priority?
While both men and women may require long-term care, women make up the majority of residents in care facilities, with nursing homes being 70% women on average.
Why do women have a higher chance of needing long-term care?
- Women have a longer lifespan than men.
According to the CDC, a man’s average lifespan is 76 years, while a woman’s average lifespan is 81. As a person becomes older, they are more likely to require long-term care and full-time support with daily chores.
- Women are more likely to be alone as they age.
- They end themselves alone at the end of their lives for a variety of reasons, including widowhood, divorce, or never having married. Women are also more likely to be caregivers for their spouses or partners later in life, which means they are often alone when they require care.
- Women are more likely to be disabled or sick than men.
According to studies, women spend 2.8 years in a crippled state at the end of their lives if they live to be 65, and 3.0 years if they live to be 80.
Long-Term Care Planning: What Is It?
Planning ahead of time for the day when you or a loved one may require long-term care should be done as a family. Having a plan in place ahead of time allows you to select a facility that is the perfect fit for you, fits within your budget, and provides the level of care you require. Planning ahead allows you to take your time making decisions and make them while you are still able to do so.
Also Understand: Most Common Long-term Care Insurance Misinterpretation
When planning for long-term care, you should consider the following factors:
- Your current state of health and the type of care you may require in the future.
- The expense of living in a long-term care institution on a monthly basis.
- How you plan to pay for it, such as through retirement assets, savings, government programs, or long-term care insurance.
Mostly Women require this type of preparation not simply because they are more likely than males to require long-term nursing care. Women are also more likely than men to earn less money throughout their lives. Women are also more prone than men to dip in and out of the workforce, which can have a negative impact on their financial condition later in life. As a result, preparing for care and figuring out how to pay for it is especially important for women.
Knowing the plan and communicating it with loved ones can ensure that when the time comes, your wishes for care may be carried out. You and your loved ones will be less stressed during your transition if you have a financial plan to go along with it.
Don’t Miss: A Peaceful Transition: A Caregiver’s Guide For Your Loved One’s Final Days
Need Help In Choosing Nursing Care For Your Loved Ones?
Do you require assistance with your care plan? Care At Heart LLC E has a team of experts who can assist you in making these critical decisions at the most appropriate moment for you and your family. We can provide easiest steps on how to make long-term nursing are a priority and how you can budget for it all. To learn more about how we can help you with your long-term care needs, contact one of our experts today.