Long-Term Supports and Services

Long-Term Support And Services (LTSS) help people with intellectual disabilities. They can make their lives easier by using the facilities offered by LTSS. The primary objective of LTSS is to provide individuals with all the things required to complete everyday tasks. These include eating, dressing, bathing, getting out of bed, and more. As a result, people with IDD can improve their well-being and lifestyle with the help of LTSS. 

What Is Long-term Service?

A long-term service assists in providing care and facilities to individuals who cannot complete everyday tasks independently. The period can be long-term or short-term, depending upon the requirements of a person. 

Long-term care and services are offered in communities, nursing homes, medical centers, or even at homes. The caretakers are usually involved in helping people with disabilities or other health issues in everyday activities. For example, dressing and grooming, using the washroom, getting out of bed, bathing, etc. Other services consist of transportation, meals, and adult day care. But all these facilities are given in return for a fee. 

People need long-term service after encountering accidents, health issues, or physical and mental disabilities. Old-age individuals are the most common ones who need these services. Their disability also gets worse with time. So, they are in constant need of support and care. 

What Are The Main Types Of Long-term Care?

Long-term care is divided into three different types. People with disabilities can choose a particular kind of long-term service, depending on their medical condition. They are as follows-

• Skilled nursing: Skilled nursing is provided at nursing homes and licensed medical centers. This type of long-term service is beneficial for Individuals who need 24/7 care. They will be under the supervision of health professionals until their condition improves. Medical care under professional caretakers is always better than unprofessional ones. 

People in the recovery stage after surgery need skilled nursing as they cannot do everyday tasks. Apart from that, individuals with a physical or mental disability might also require it in some situations. 

• Assisted living: Assisted living is another type of long-term service anybody can get. It is best for people who don't have severe medical conditions but need someone to help them manage everything. Old-age people with disabilities prefer assisted living for many reasons. The most significant one is that they will get quick services from the caretakers without effort. They will do various tasks like housekeeping, washing clothes, dressing, and more. 

Assisted living does not provide 24/7 services. So, if someone needs attention and care throughout the day, skilled nursing is better.

• Home Health Care: Home health care provides all the services and facilities in the patient's home. People can opt for 24/7 services or less according to their medical condition. The best part about home health care is that individuals don't need to go anywhere. They will get the services at their home. There is more convenience in this type of long-term service. 

What Is The Main Goal Of Long-Term Care?

The primary goal of long-term care is to provide people with disabilities with all the facilities and care they need. People unable to do various things independently due to their conditions need long-term care to complete multiple tasks. 

The caretakers and professionals know how to take care of a person and offer them services. They give them a supportive hand to manage their lives in a better way. Their medical condition makes them vulnerable to performing everyday activities. For instance, dressing, laundry, grooming, using toilets, walking, moving from one place to another, sitting, standing up, and more. 

Long-term care is essential for people suffering from severe health issues. It can be a recovery stage from a disease or surgery, an intellectual disability, an accident, etc. Individuals can quickly get these services from any community, medical center, and family member. 

Which Services Are Provided At A Long-Term Care Facility? 

A person's disability or any other health condition is responsible for the inability to perform any physical tasks. In these situations, a long-term care facility can help them recover from the state and enhance their lifestyle. Various services are provided at a medical center-

• Personal care involves helping people with dressing, getting out of bed, sitting, bathing, and more. 
• Transportation services are also provided when an individual wants to go somewhere.
• Emergency medical services improve the chance of getting treatment quickly. 

Conclusion 

People with disabilities and other medical conditions can use long-term support and care. The caretakers are always ready to help them with many things without asking. Also, they will help reduce the burden on the family members. That is why these services are beneficial for them.