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Long Term Care Tips and Information

   We take everyday activities like getting out of bed, going to the washroom and getting dressed for granted. But we’re all vulnerable to accidents and illnesses that can change the way we live.

Long term care services are provided to individuals who are unable to care for themselves, for example as a result of accident, illness or deteriorated mental abilities.

Long term care insurance helps cover the costs of long term care services.

The costs of long term care services

Government programs provide some long term care services, but individuals must often pay for much of their care out of pocket. Consider the following:

• Accommodation in a long term care facility can cost from $800 to
  over $5,000 per month depending on the room type and the level
  of government funding available in your province.
  
  
• Private home care service costs* range from $12 to $22 an hour for
  homemaking and personal care to between $18 and $60 an hour for
  nursing care.
  
  
• More than one-third of Canadians aged 45 - 64 who provided informal
  care to a family member or friend incurred extra expenses as a result
  of their caregiving duties.**

Long term care services can include:

• nursing care
• rehabilitation and therapy
• personal care (help with activities of daily living like dressing, eating and bathing)
• homemaking services (meal preparation, cleaning, laundry)
• supervision by another person

Care may be provided in the home, in the community (e.g. adult day care) or in a facility that provides long term care.

* Home care service costs vary widely by location, even within provinces. The costs listed above were compiled by Sun Life Financial, 2004.
** Source: Statistics Canada, 2002 General Social Survey, Cycle 16: Aging and Social Support - Tables