More Iowans Need Long Term Care
Based on the records of the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa’s elderly population aged 65 years old and over is nearly 15% of the state’s total population. Indeed, the aging group is growing fast and at the rate it is going Iowa long term care facilities should work double time in bringing in new equipment and upgrading the existing ones so that they can accommodate new patients.
Elderly Iowans are encouraged to receive care in the home care setting or in a community-based long term care facility such as an assisted living center as this will allow them to live independently despite requiring assistance with regular daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, transferring or ambulating.
Most assisted living facilities in Iowa have impressive architectural designs and complete furnishings to ensure the comfort of elderly residents and disabled adults not below 18 years old. Apart from all the essentials of a home that make it livable, the management of an assisted living facility also sees to it that their staff was properly trained to handle the needs of elderly people and disabled adults.
Assisted living facilities provide care that is not medically necessarily by nature. This type of care covers assistance with the activities of daily living (ADL), housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and assistance with administering medications among others.
Aside from receiving extensive care, residents of an assisted living facility are also encouraged to participate in social activities which the management regularly conducts to enhance social interaction, creativity and positivity.
The average monthly rate for an assisted living facility in Iowa is $3,182 but these figures can go higher or lower depending on one’s area. For instance, Iowans in Ames are required to spend more because the average monthly rate for assisted living centers in this city is $3,928.
Meanwhile, in Sioux City you will find assisted living facilities with a monthly rate of $3,075 which is a relatively big difference from the state’s median rate.
Comparing the cost of assisted living facilities, nursing homes and home care services in your area is an important phase in long term care (LTC) planning as the cost of the LTC setting of your choice will determine how much coverage you’ll need.
Who’s Ready for Iowa Long Term Care?
Unlike residents of other states, Iowans are more responsible and diligent. They have pride in themselves and thus refuse to be a burden to the federal and state governments. This explains why they have the lowest percentage of uninsured people.
The downside to their preparedness is their neglect of diet. Statistics reveal a rapid increase in obesity cases in Iowa. Obesity, for those of you who have no idea what it is, does not simply mean growing big or fat. Most life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases are associated with obesity.
Most people who suffer from obesity wind up in an LTC facility so the probability that 28.4% of Iowans ending up in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home is high.
If you have not planned your Iowa long term care yet, visit your doctor one of these days before discussing with your long term care insurance agent the type of coverage that you will likely require for future health care needs.
People living in Iowa can now purchase long term care insurance. We also provide wide selection of resources and long term care insurance quotes in your Iowa and even in other states.