Long-term care can be medical or non-medical care given to individuals with chronic illness or disability over an extended period of time. Care includes physical and emotional needs. Often, services that are provided are for activities and needs that the patient could once do, but they are no longer able to. Examples of areas of help that may be provided are dressing, bathing, safety, meal preparation, administering medication, and transportation services, to name a few.

Services may be provided for a weeks, months, or years. Temporary long-term care, which lasts for only weeks or a few months, may be for rehabilitation for a hospital stay, recovery from illness or injury, or a terminal medical condition. Ongoing care needed for many months or years may be for chronic medical conditions, dementia or Alzheimer’s care, or supervision.

Long-term care can be provided at home through an agency like MAS Home Care. It is estimated that at least 60% of all individuals will need some form of long-term care at some point in their lifetime. This year, about nine million men and women over the age of 65 will need long-term care. By 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long-term care. Most will be cared for at home; family and friends are the sole caregivers for 70 percent of the elderly.

Since the majority of individuals are cared for at home it is no surprise that home care services are a popular choice for long-term care.

1. This option allows for greater independence for the patient and personalized care.

2. Patients experience less stress and are more comfortable in their own setting.

3. The family members or friends who are the main caregiver are also able to receive support.

4. Many people cannot afford to stay home to care for their loved ones, no matter how much they would like to. Long-term home care gives them the option to have the patient at home with them, and still be able to work.

Whether the reason you are choosing long-term care is temporary while you recover from a surgery, or needed for an extended period of time, as with the case of Alzheimer’s patients, there are many options out there. It is important to do your research and figure out what is best for you and your family. Ask yourself what kind of services your need and how can you receive the best quality of care.

New Hampshire Home Care:
MAS Home Care of New Hampshire
500 Harvey Road
Manchester, NH 03103
603-296-0960

Maine Home Care:
MAS Home Care of Maine (Portland & Lewiston areas)
21 Saco Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
207-591-4457

MAS Home Care of Maine (Bangor & Machias areas)
360 Harlow Street
Bangor, ME 04401
207-561-9533

Rhode Island Home Care:
MAS Home Care of Rhode Island
1243 Mineral Spring Avenue
North Providence, RI 02904
401-312-1160