The aftermath of a serious accident can be scary and frustrating especially if you suffered an injury. Depending on the severity of your injury you could be incapacitated for a period of time, having to take time off of work or school and be unable to perform certain tasks. If this is true you may want to consider long-term care options. An estimated 60% of United States citizens will need long-term care during their life, whether it is months, years, or forever. The goal of long-term care is to allow the patient to live independently while offering support in areas of their life that may have been affected by an injury. It can be scary to recognize that you need long-term care and overwhelming to figure out where to start. Speak with a New Jersey personal injury lawyer today to discuss your options.
Why Would Someone Need Long-Term Care?
People who suffer a serious accident or injury may need long-term care for the time it takes to recover or for the remainder of their lives. Sometimes victims of an accident will walk away unscathed or with only a few cuts or bruises. Other times after more severe accidents the effects can detrimentally impact a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and care for themselves. Long-term care can be required for a variety of people who have sustained injuries including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
What Types of Long-Term Medical Care Exist?
If your doctor decides you need long-term care, it can be frightening. However, it is important to understand your options. There are multiple options that you can consider if an accident or injury results in you needing long-term medical care. After a serious life-altering injury you may need help with the following:
- Pain management
- Transportation
- Eating
- Running errands
- Getting dressed and undressed
- Bathing
Some options you or your family might consider for long-term care needs can include the following.
- Adult care homes
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living
- Home health care
- Rehabilitation centers
- Adult daycare
How Can I Cover the Costs of Long-Term Care?
If you require long-term care from an accident or injury you may be wondering about the costs. Medical expenses can be very costly and it is valid to wonder how you are going to manage your expenses. The following is an average from a 2019 study of the yearly costs of varying long-term care options. They could be more expensive today.
- Private room in a nursing home: $102,000
- Assisted living: $49,000
- 24/7 in-home care: $175,000
- Part-time in-home care: $51,000
- Adult daycare: $20,000
There are long-term care insurance policies that you can get depending on your situation and abilities. The cost will depend on what policy you choose, your age, health, and more. There are various policies to choose from including tax qualified, non-tax qualified, nursing home, assisted living, and home health care.
You may also qualify for Medicare or Medicaid depending on the specifics of your circumstances.
