Longterm Care And Mental Health

Long Term Care
The Continuum of Care

What is Long Term Care?


Health, mental health, social and residential services provided to temporarily or chronically disabled person over extended period of time

Characteristics of LT Care









Physical or mental, temporary or permanent
Need based on functional disabilities
Promotes or maintains health and independence in functional abilities and quality of life
To enable us to die peacefully and with dignity
Multiple services and multiple professions spanning broad spectrum
Multifaceted
Designed around unique needs of the individual
Service can change over time

Who needs LT Care







Chronic – permanent or indefinite period of time
Impaired – a decrease in or loss of ability to perform Disabled – short or long term; varies by age group Functional ability – person’s ability to perform the basic activities of daily living

Understanding demand for LT Care
Patient represent “mosaic of subsegments” of the population. Often comorbid conditions
 Services can be organized across dimensions of users
 Some users of LT care have significant differences from other users


Organization of LT Care
Informal organization – most LT care is provided by family and friends
 Each community may be different regarding availability of services
 Ideal system – client oriented continuum of care.


What is Continuum of Care?







Matches resources to patient’s condition
Monitors the client’s condition and changes services as needs change
Coordinates care across disciplines
Integrates care in a range of settings
Enhances efficiency, reduces duplication, streamlines patient flow
Maintains comprehensive record keeping

Categories of Continuum of Care
Extended care
 Acute inpatient care
 Ambulatory care
 Home care
 Outreach
 Wellness
 Housing
NOTE: Not all LT care clients get this full range of care.
This is ideal that may offset or delay chronic illness.


Providers of LT Care
Hospitals
 Nursing homes