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Long Term Care Planning
Long Term Care Insurance
Long Term Care Facilities: See Guide to Housing
Accreditation and Standards
Long Term Care for Chronic Illness
Home Care and Hospice
Palliative Care
Family Care and Caregiver Long term care is necessary when a person cannot carry out normal daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, or eating. Individuals may be cared for in their own home or at an assisted living facility (see Guide to Housing). Over 80 percent of all individuals needing long term care have their care provided in their home. When you search for long-term care, it is important to remember that quality varies from one place or caregiver to another. It is also important to think about long term care options before a crisis occurs.
Long Term Care Planning Approximately half of all Americans will need long term care during their lifetime. Almost 20 percent of those individuals over the age of 50 will also need long term care. Therefore, it is wise to plan and discuss long term care options early. Let family, friends, or relatives know of your decision. Making the right choice for you can be very difficult if family members do not have your advance consent. The ideal way to plan for long term care is to gather all family members and review and evaluate your choices systematically. University of Hawai'i Elder Law Program (UHELP) UHELP is an integral part of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Its goal is to enhance, protect and preserve the autonomy and independence of older persons through education, training and direct legal services. UHELP places particular emphasis on assisting socially and economically needy older persons and their caregivers. Deciding "Who Cares?": A Legal Handbook for Hawaii's Older Persons, Families and Other Caregivers Published by UHELP, this handbook will guide you in a simplified way through several areas of legal concerns facing caregivers and the persons they care for. National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information The National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs. How to Pick the Right Nursing Home and Pay for it Too Hawai`i Elder Law, sponsored by Sterling & Tucker, Attorneys at Law. American Health Association
The American Health Association provides helpful information on long term care planning through its National Center for Assisted Living. Back to Top
Long Term Care Insurance A good long term care insurance policy can be like a safety net. It can help a person's relatives address the challenges of aging whether at home or at a facility of their choice. Long term care policies typically cover a home health care worker who will help with chores such as grocery shopping and with daily living activities such as bathing and dressing. Many policies include rehabilitative therapy following a stroke, and intensive long term skilled nursing care, either in a facility or at home. AARP Healthcare Options
For general information on long term care and insurance options, visit the AARP website. Back to Top
Accreditation and Standards The quality of long term care is critical for people receiving these services. The Joint Commission, an independent not-for-profit organization, evaluates and accredits more than 16,000 health care organizations and programs, including long term care facilities or services in the United States. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO)
To learn more about the accreditation and standards of long term care facilities and related services and programs, visit the Long Term Care Accreditation section of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) website. Shield Accreditation
The Shield Accreditation provides valuable resources for those seeking qualified home care. Back to Top
Long Term Care for Chronic Illnesses Chronic conditions affect about 50 percent of Americans and account for over 70 percent of medical costs. The daily care responsibilities of chronic illnesses weigh most heavily on patients and their families. Health care providers can help with managing issues related to self-care. "Collaborative management" is a process where health care providers work with you to develop a plan for strengthening and supporting self-care. Part of the plan is to ensure that medical, preventive, and health supports are in place. Collaborative Management of Chronic Illness
To learn more about chronic illnesses, visit Collaborative Management of Chronic Illness website. Back to Top
Home Care and Hospice Home care includes a broad range of services such as medical and housekeeping services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. It also provides care in a home setting for those recovering from surgery or hospitalization. Hospice care includes medical, social, and psychological care for terminally ill patients and their families. The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort for terminally ill patients in a home setting. Back to Top
Palliative Care Palliative care is treatment that comforts and improves the quality of life for patients at the end stages of an illness. It also offers support for patients and their families in the disease process. The consideration of a patient's needs is critical in palliative care. The patient's condition is reviewed continuously and alternative treatment options are explored and evaluated. Palliative care is a team process between the patient, physician(s), caregiver(s), and hospice team. MyHealthDirective.com
MyHealthDirective.com is a Hawai`i-based online provider of Advanced Healthcare Directive services. Hawai`i AIDS Education and Training Center
The Hawai`i AIDS Education and Training Center provides Palliative Care Information. Hospice & Palliative Care Information
To learn more about palliative care, please visit Hospice & Palliative Care Information. American Board of Hospice & Palliative Medicine
The American Board of Hospice & Palliative Medicine provides standards for physicians providing hospice and palliative care. Back to Top
Family Care and Caregiver Caring for a loved one with a chronic condition can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially if you are the primary caregiver. The majority of caregivers are spouses, partners, children, parents, or friends. The duty of a caregiver includes a wide range of activities such as interacting with medical professionals, assisting with daily living activities, and managing daily treatments and medications. Do You Help An Older Adult? A brochure for caregivers and older adults about support services available in the community. Balancing Work and Caregiving Responsibilities A brochure about basic steps you can take to get organized and balance multiple caregiving responsibilities. Finding and Orienting Someone to Substitute For You
Tips for finding the right caregiver and making sure that he/she will have the right imformation and skills to do the job. Family Caregiving Guide (2008) Written to help those that are providing long term care to others. Includes information and advice about services available in Honolulu County. Pages 53-54 include additional websites related to caregiving. Caring for Hawai'i's Elders Honolulu Advertiser reader's blog for caregivers. Written by Kevin Kawamoto and Melissa Kamakawiwo'ole. When the Older Person Uses a Wheelchair
Information on protecting a wheelchair user's health, adapting the home environment and maintaining the wheelchair. Guide for Caregivers
A Guide for Caregivers from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society contains an overview of issues that caregivers face in different situations. Familycaregiving 101 - provides caregivers with the basic tools, skills and information they need to protect their own physical and mental health while they provide high quality care for their loved one. National Family Caregiver Support Program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program, established by the Administration on Aging in 2000, provides helpful resources for elders and their caregivers. Elder Care Online
Elder Care Online provides online resources to persons caring for loved ones. American Medical Association
The American Medical Association publishes helpful information on Caregiver Health. See also "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" under the Daily Living and Lifestyle, Families section of the Library. Back to Top
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