The Guide, “Planning For My Future”, shown on the right, is a vital Guide for yourself, your family and caregivers. Please take the time to fill out this information and have it readily available. You will find that it will spark many discussions which you will have with yourself, your spouse/partner, family as you make decisions on your life planning. Make sure that you provide a copy to your family/caregiver, so they know your desires.
Many adults would like to remain in their homes as they get older. Falls, illnesses that require hospital stays, or memory loss can make living at home hard. Older adults may be able to remain in their homes and get better care if they plan for home-support services in advance.
An important research topic for many older adults is the concept of aging-in-place, which is a priority for many older adults and their families. Over time, many older adults experience progressive dependency which impacts their ability to age in place. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define aging-in-place as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably.
By 2050, the number of individuals using support services in any setting will be close to 27 million people. Unfortunately, most older adults are unprepared or do not plan for their aging-in-place or long-term care (LTC) needs, which often result in unmet needs, unnecessary caregiver stress, burden, and institutionalization.
Dr. Laurie Anne Ferguson
DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP
Founding Dean and Professor, Emory & Henry College, School of Nursing
Long Term Care Planning
Nearly two out of every three Americans will need assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, walking, dressing, and toileting, at some point in their lives whether due to illness or disability. Long-term care is a variety of services and supports to meet health or personal care needs over an extended period of time.
While long-term care is often associated with nursing homes, the truth is that most care is actually provided at home.
Older Americans Act
Older Americans Act (OAA) programs provide home and community-based services through state, tribal, and local agencies in each state to individuals age 60 and over. In addition, the OAA provides support to family caregivers. Services include, but are not limited to information & assistance, personal care, nutrition services, transportation, and adult day care. Many of the programs and services that help people remain in their homes and communities are provided through the Older Americans Act (OAA).
National Grange Junior & Youth Director
Alamo Grange #1446, TX
National Resources
The resources provided here are intended to assist individuals in planning for their current and/or future long-term care needs. These sites may help you in thinking through your desires and talking with your family and caregivers and then filling out “PLANNING FOR MY FUTURE” document attached.
LongTermCare.gov provides information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care.
Long term care information from the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health.
This web page provides general information on long-term care options.
Is designed to assist you in making plans now for the care you want when you have a serious illness and to inform your family, caregivers your desires.
DOWNLOAD THE PLANNING FOR MY FUTURE GUIDE
This site provides aging-related health information easily assessable for adults 60 and over.
Website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health
This website provides current, comprehensive, unbiased source of information about Alzheimer’s Disease. The site is operated as a service of the National Institute on Aging.
Website (English): https://www.alzheimers.gov/
Website (Spanish): https://www.alzheimers.gov/es
Phone: 1-800-438-4380
The Cancer Information Service (CIS), a program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), provides the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, the public, and health professionals.
Website: https://www.cancer.gov/contact/contact-center
Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER
FDA has numerous publications with information for older people on medication use and safety.
Website: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-information-consumers/tips-seniors
Phone: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help adults 50+ fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life.
Website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-physical-activity
This site is the official government benefits website. It is a free, confidential tool that helps individuals find government benefits they may be eligible to receive.
Website: https://www.benefits.gov/
The Guide provides information about long term care options – home and community based, and residential care.
Website: https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Guide/LongTermCare/index.asp
Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges through its three programs: Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP (the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program).
Website: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps
Phone: 1-800-424-8867
The Social Security Administration toll-free number operates from 7AM to 7PM, Monday to Friday. Recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day. The website contains a wealth of information and resources including on-line databases and publications.
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/ Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Information on VA benefits and services.
Website: https://www.va.gov/
Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Contact
Need additional assistance? Contact us:
National Contact: Joan C. Smith
Phone: (571) 662-7220 | Email
This program was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (EADI #30051). The statements in this website are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), its Board of Governors or Methodology Committee.