Question

ALs are becoming more popular as an option for long-term care.List at aleast three reasons for this popularity.

Answer 1

The ALS Association defines long-term care (LTC) as a broad continuum of services, institutional and non-institutional, required over a long period of time for people who have chronic and serious health issues like ALS.Providing care for a person with ALS can be challenging, especially as the disease progresses. The responsibility often falls to one or two primary caregivers, who struggle to find enough time in the day to care for their loved ones and juggle the demands of daily life, which may even include a full-time job.

Finding additional help, such as respite care, may be necessary for your long-term care plan. No matter how much love a caregiver has to offer, he or she can burn out and feel resentful.

They are so popular because

Home Health Services

Your neurologist may prescribe skilled nursing services or physical, occupational, or speech-language therapy. These intermittent and short-term services—if deemed medically necessary—should be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.

Home Care (non-medical)

Providing personal home care of a non-medical nature (assistance with dressing, eating, bathing, and other daily tasks) is often a big challenge for just one or two family caregivers. We suggest ways to organize additional help from family and friends and provide suggestions for hiring professional caregivers.

Respite Care

Respite care provides a much-needed break for family caregivers. It can be provided by family, friends, or paid caregivers. Respite care gives caregivers time to take care of themselves and recharge.

Care Facilities

A small percentage of ALS patients move into living facilities or skilled facilities that provide 24/7 hospital-like care. This option is expensive, though it may be covered by Medicaid’s long-term care program or long-term care policies purchased prior to diagnosis.