Long-term care is the newest topic on NIHSeniorHealth, the health and wellness Web site for older adults from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
The topic covers the ramifications of long-term care, where services can be found, and how to plan ahead.
"Today, approximately 10 million Americans need long-term services and supports. As America ages, that number is rising steadily. By 2020, it is expected that 15 million Americans will need some type of long-term care," said Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging at the Administration on Aging (AoA), which helped develop the topic. "Understanding and finding the services and options available is key to planning ahead. The new topic of long-term care on NIHSeniorHealth describes in clear, concise language the range of long-term care services available and ways to plan for future needs."
"Long-Term Care" is the 50th topic to appear on NIHSeniorHealth, joining a roster of research-based health topics of interest to older adults, including exercise and physical activity, safe use of medicines, and management of diseases such as stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. NIHSeniorHealth is designed to be senior friendly and is tailored to the cognitive and visual needs of older adults. The short, easy-to-read segments of information, large print, opened captioned videos, and speech function make the information on the site easy for older adults to see, understand, and navigate.
The AoA works with a nationwide network of organizations and service providers to develop a comprehensive and cost-effective system of heath and long-term care that helps elderly individuals maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and communities.
[Source: NIH]
