The following are descriptions and examples of basic kinds
of care involved or closely related to Long Term Care.
The costs of acute care are usually well covered by Medicare
and your Health Insurance policy, because they are a skilled
care. Cases that require acute care can strike suddenly,
but are usually treatable and recoverable. Acute care is
mostly handled by Emergency Rooms and Hospitals.
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Examples of acute care are, gunshot wound, heart attack,
stroke. |
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Basically, the aim of Skilled Care is care to get you better.
Skilled care doesn’t have anything to do with how sick you
are. It just has to do with the technical skills that nurses
and doctors need to get you better. Medicare defines it
as “services and rehabilitation that require the skills
of technical or professional personnel such as registered
nurses, licensed practical nurses, and physical or occupational
therapists”. Skilled Care is usually received in hospitals
or skilled nursing homes, but can also be received in your
home.
Example: Martha recently had knee surgery
after a car accident she was involved in. She is expected to recover almost
fully, but only with the help of physical therapy. She was admitted to a
skilled nursing facility where she can receive her daily therapy. She will
remain at the nursing facility until she is better as long as she continues to
show progress.
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Chronic Care is the main type of care covered by Long Term
Care insurance. It is a non-skilled care and can be provided
in your home or in an assisted facility. The conditions that
require Chronic Care are treatable, but not usually curable.
For this reason, Chronic Care is NOT covered by Medicare or
most Health Insurance policies.
| Examples of Chronic Care are Paralysis,
Arthritis, Alzheimer’s. |
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Non-skilled care, or custodial care, is given to people
who need help on a regular basis. This type of care does
not require skilled professional training and can be administered
by a family member. People that need non-skilled care may
have physical or mental limitations that are caused by chronic
or cognitive problems.
| Example:
Carl is suffering from brain damage after a recent
stroke. Among many things, he has trouble making
breakfast and washing himself. He has been admitted
to a nursing home where his needs can be best
cared for. |
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Because chronic care and non-skilled care are not covered
at all by Medicare and most Health Insurance policies, private
sector insurance firms that offer Long
Term Care Insurance seek to fill in the gap.
