Why Elderly Care in California Is Imperative

California?s senior population has not exceeded the national growth rate for this age group but just like in other states, California long term care continues to be a hot issue. Studies show that the increasing number of chronic diseases in this western part of America is one reason that the cost of care continues to skyrocket.

By studying Genworth Financial?s new Cost of Care Survey you will realize that the annual growth rate of California?s LTC costs has far exceeded the national average. The cost of in-home care in California, for instance, has increased 2% as opposed to 1% on the national level so the hourly rate of a home health aide in this state is $23 while nationally it is only $19.

Many in-home care recipients in California are depending on their friends and relatives because they cannot afford a home health aide whose job is mainly to provide elderly and disabled people assistance with their activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, dressing, eating, continence, transferring, and toileting.

Meanwhile, the annual LTC spending of nursing home residents in California is a whopping $93,988. Many elderly folks in California suffer chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer among others, and thus the inevitability of nursing home care. Obesity, according to LTC specialists, is the main cause of these diseases and so much more. Unfortunately, cases of obesity continue to increase in the country.

Californians are advised to start working on their health care plans to avoid the impact of LTC costs on their finances. In less than 20 years the cost of care is expected to rise fourfold according to financial experts, so everybody without a clear plan for his future health care needs has very slim chances of receiving topnotch care and protecting his family from impoverishment.

California Long Term Care

Oftentimes, individuals with no concrete LTC plans find themselves on the receiving end of mediocre to poor LTC services.

Poor LTC service cannot be defined in just one word or sentence because a lot of unpleasant things constitute it such as verbal, physical and emotional abuse from a caregiver or skilled nurse, neglected nutrition, and unhygienic living conditions in an LTC facility.

To avoid such horrifying experience, Californians are constantly reminded to take their future health care needs seriously. Those individuals who are not sure where and how to start their LTC plans can seek professional advice from the experts such as elder care specialists, elder law attorneys, financial advisers, and long term care insurance (LTCI) specialists.

Californians do not have to lose their dignity, pride and independence once the need for care sets in. They can still be in control of their lives if this is what they really want. However, for this to happen they should start planning their LTC while they are young, healthy and earning a substantial amount of money.

The cost of California long term care will continue to rise so everybody should stop thinking of this topic as inconsequential, otherwise he?s bound to face a future of misery.

About the Author

Gail Dunn is a web writer who has written volumes of articles for various industries. Her expertise are on health, finance, business, home and family. Learn more about long term care

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Why-Elderly-Care-in-California-Is-Imperative/6748916/

Source: http://www.articles-digest.com/why-elderly-care-in-california-is-imperative/

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