Overview of the Long-Term Care Continuum

OVERVIEW OF THE LONG-TERM CARE CONTINUUM

What is Long-Term Care (LTC)?

  • Definition:

    • A wide range of services tailored for individuals who cannot care for themselves due to:

    • a loss of capacity (e.g., age-related decline, chronic conditions).

    • not having developed capacity (e.g., developmental disabilities).

  • Duration:

    • Services are provided for a relatively long and indefinite time, depending on the individual's needs.

Goals of Long-Term Care

  • Promote and Maintain:

    • Health: Ensuring the well-being of the individual through appropriate services and care.

    • Independence in functional abilities: Helping individuals maintain as much independence as possible in their daily lives.

    • Quality of Life: Enhancing the overall well-being and satisfaction with life.

  • For Those With Terminal Illnesses:

    • Goals include allowing individuals to die peacefully and with dignity.

Acute Care vs. Long-Term Care

  • Acute Care:

    • Crisis-oriented health services.

    • Characterized by sudden onset of health issues.

    • Typically responds to treatments.

    • Often involves high-tech care.

  • Long-Term Care:

    • Addresses long-term/chronic illnesses.

    • Characterized by gradual onset.

    • Focuses on medical management rather than aggressive treatment.

    • Involves low-tech/high-touch approaches.

LTC Continuum

  • Components of the Continuum:

    • Acute Care

    • Post-Acute Care

    • Nursing Facilities

    • Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs)

    • Adult Day Services (ADS)

    • Hospice Care

    • Home Health Services

    • Wellness and Prevention Programs

    • Area Agencies on Aging

    • Informal Care

    • Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

Who Uses Long-Term Care?

  • Demographics:

    • Primarily used by:

    • Elderly individuals

    • Non-elderly disabled

    • Mentally ill individuals

  • Statistics:

    • In 2018, approximately 15 million individuals used LTC services.

    • Estimates show the number likely will double by 2050.

    • The majority of users are older adults.

Growth of the Older Adult Population

  • Projections:

    • The older adult population will continue to increase significantly from 1950 through 2050, with distinct categories:

    • 65-74 years old

    • 75-84 years old

    • 85+ years old

    • Population estimates over decades show an increase in the numbers of each age category.

Functional Disabilities

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

    • Bathing

    • Dressing

    • Toileting

    • Transferring

    • Eating

  • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs):

    • Managing money

    • Telephoning

    • Grocery shopping

    • Personal shopping

    • Using transportation

    • Housekeeping

    • Managing medications

Strengths and Weaknesses of the LTC System

  • Strengths:

    • Ability to respond to the changing needs of the population.

    • Dedication and compassion of caregivers.

    • Continuous development of innovative types of care and services.

    • Increasing focus on customer service and user satisfaction.

  • Weaknesses:

    • Reimbursement-driven nature leading to inequitable distribution of services.

    • Fragmented system that complicates the delivery of seamless care.

    • Poor public image and perception overshadowed by acute care systems, affecting public trust and utilization of LTC services.