LTC Troubles for the Middle-Class

Affording health care services has been an issue that most Americans have been facing for a long time. However, with the termination of the Class Act many middle class families are having problems affording long term care for family members (Harris & Pear, 2011). Lower class Americans receive assistance through Medicaid, while the upper class are usually able to afford the services themselves, but numerous middle class families find themselves struggling to pay for services and care for elderly family members. If successfully completed the, Class Act would have covered roughly a quarter of nursing home care for middle class families.

There are other options for middle class families to choose from other than paying for services out of pocket. Long term care insurance is becoming a more popular option for many Americans. For example, California is one of the many states that take part in "Partnership for Long Term Care". This program gives credit to individuals that purchase long term care insurance. This is an advantage because most LTC policies pay a fixed amount. The benefit is a payment of the actual expenses incurred, also the credit extends to assisted living facilities, nursing homes and in home services.

References

Harris, H. & Pear, R. (2011, October 24). Still no relief in sight for long-term needs. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/health/25seniors.html?_r=1

Why Health Information Exchange is Becoming More Vital in LTC Organizations

The transfer of health care information in a secure manner from organization to organization has always been a top priority of the healthcare industry. When discussing Health Information Exchange (HIE) we usually hear situations involving medical groups, hospitals, or physician collaborative organizations. Now, with the demand for long term care rising due to baby boomers reaching retirement age HIE has become an even more vital tool in providing quality care to the clients and residents receiving care in long term care facilities. This generation of Americans represents over one-third of the United States population and with the first group of baby boomers turning 65 this year the health care industry must adjust to the needs and demands of this aging population. The American Hospital Association estimates the thirty-seven million boomers will be managing one or more chronic medical condition within the next twenty years (Orlovky, 2007). With this portion of the population requiring more care than any other the exchange of health information and the use of health information technology is sure to increase significantly in long term care businesses.

With the upsurge of this aging population over the next two decades requiring care; organizations like Jersey Health Connect has seen the need to adapt in order to meet the demand. Jersey Health Connect Health Information Exchange, Inc is an organization consisting of multiple medical groups, hospitals, health systems and long term care organizations (Miliard, 2011). Jersey Health Connect HIE uses its information technology to increase coordination between the respective parties within the organization which ultimately results in a higher quality of care. The need for accurate and current information is not just a top priority in hospitals, but is also essential when caring for residents receiving long term care now more than ever.

References

Orlovky, C. (2007). The baby boomers’ massive impact on health care. Retrieved from http://www.nursezone.com/nursing-news-events/more-news/The-Baby-Boomers%E2%80%99-Massive-Impact-on-Health-Care_28946.aspx

Miliard, M. (2011).Jersey health connect hie chooses relayhealth for secure health information exchange .Healthcare IT News, Retrieved from http://www.healthcareitnews.com/press-release/jersey-health-connect-hie-chooses-relayhealth-secure-health-information-exchange 

How A Reverse Mortgage Can Equal LTC For Seniors

For most seniors, the biggest asset that they have once they decide to retire is the equity in their home (Ahlstrom, Tumlinson, & Lambrew, 2011). However, this asset is usually not an option for seniors unless they choose to use a home equity loan. After working for twenty plus years and paying off a majority of tangibles assets, who really wants to add another long term bill to their life? For many seniors home equity loans are not even a real option, but a reverse mortgage can be.

A reverse mortgage is a loan for a senior homeowner that uses a portion of their home equity as collateral. The loan does not have to be repaid until the homeowner dies or moves out of the premises permanently. With reverse mortgages, the payments are in reverse as the homeowner receives payments from their bank. However, the loan balance must be paid within in six months of the homeowners’ death or the home will be sold to pay off the balance. For seniors with limited funds a reverse mortgage can be a way to pay for prescription medication, hospital visits or home health care in their later years.

The American Hospital Association estimates that one-third of the US population are seniors and roughly thirty-seven million seniors will be managing one or more chronic medical condition within the next twenty years (Orlovky, 2007). For these countless seniors with long term care needs reverse mortgages are a way for them to survive while the broken health care system that we have is repaired. Personally, if I was a senior citizen and required some form of long term care I would want to have a home health aide come to my residence and assist me. That would be way more efficient than making constant trips to medical professionals for ailments that could have been avoided with proper assistance. Now, hopefully with this extra cash flow alot of individuals can do the same.

References

Ahlstrom, A, Tumlinson, A, & Lambrew, J. (2011, September 11). Linking reverse mortgages and long-term care insurance. Retrieved from http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2004/03use conomics_ahlstrom

Orlovky, C. (2007). Thebaby boomers’ massive impact on health care. Retrieved from http://www.nursezone.com/nursing-news-events/more-news/The-Baby-Boomers%E2%80%99-Massive-Impact-on-Health-Care_28946.aspx

What LTC Means To Me

Long term care (LTC) can be described as the continuous health care of individuals with chronic physical and/or mental ailments. These services can be delivered through assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospices or at home from home health aides. For some health care professionals LTC consists of nothing more than providing health services over an extended period of time. To me LTC is more than providing a service to clients over an extensive duration of time. It also involves supplying a high quality of treatment, setting and achieving realistic goals and directly or indirectly uplifting the emotional state of each client over the course of their respective stint. Letting the patient know that they are respected individuals will facilitate an environment in which they are able mentally and physically heal.