Long term care is one of the biggest challenges for our healthcare system. It is a necessary service and a fast growing branch of healthcare, yet much improvement needs to be done in the way care is provided and its affordability. LTC is perceived as a form of care for elders; nevertheless, it is truly for anyone that requires assistance performing daily living activities.
There is a time in life where most of us will face the need to be assisted by others, either by a family member, or through one of the LTC programs. This sort of health care providers specialized in making those difficult times easier. Sadly, like in any industry where some employees and companies are better than others, long term care also has centers and caregivers that do an outstanding job, and those who lack compassion and provide a mediocre service. When a patient is placed in long term care, it is critical that those who are in charge of their well-being are professionals that not only know how to care, but also sympathize and are willing to go the extra mile for these ill people. It is often heard on the news about malpractice, maltreatment, and careless services in LTC facilities. With the baby boomer generation aging and the fast growing demand for these services, it is important for all that are pursuing a career on this field to question whether they are suited for this profession and to continually develop a conscious and kind heart. It could be our parents, it could be ourselves, it could even be our children whom will be the next patients, so it is up to this new generation of professionals to change the processes, the negative image perceived by our communities, and to make long term care as stress free as possible.
Re-inventing the LTC industry and figuring out a way to provide quality care and to accommodate the raising demand while controlling costs is a challenge, but our government as well as the private sector will need to address this daring issue and we all need to take responsibility into it. For now, purchasing long term care insurance might be a good start for those who can afford it, and for those who are caregivers, to remember constantly that these individuals that not only require medical assistance, but also love.
