A large percentage of long term care is given at home generally by non compensated labor. That means usually a child, spouse or relative is caring at home for the ill or injured person. This can be a difficult situation as it proves to be is taxing on the caregivers, and can frustration and burn out.

To prevent this uncomfortable situation, many families who can afford long term care and have insurance to cover such, often place their loved ones in long term care facilities. Depending on the mobility and extent of illness of the patient, long term facilities can mean a few hours a day in an Adult Day Care to 24 hour a day 7 day a week care in a nursing home.

There are several insurers that offer coverage for long term care such as Met Life, Prudential, and New York life, just to name a few. If your loved one had not planned ahead and purchased the necessary insurance, Medicaid (assuming they are eligible) will usually pay for most if not all of the expenses of long term care in approved facilities. Some of the long term care options are as follows:

Adult Day Care: This service helps the caregiver by providing a nurturing environment where the loved one can be cared for during the day. This provides the much needed relief for the caregiver.

Assisted Living: This is a facility for people who needs help with day to day living functions, but does not require 24 hour professional or skilled nursing care.

Hospice Care: This is care for the terminally ill, usually considered with cancer patients, but it should also be considered for Alzheimer and other patients with degenerative, debilitating illnesses.

Nursing homes: A full time facility in which the patient is cared for around the clock by licensed professionals.

The key to providing long term health care is advanced planning.