What does LTC mean to you?

Long-term care immediately makes me think of the elderly, sick, and disabled population. It’s safe to assume we all have had either grandparents who grew old, family members or friends who have fell sick, or even known veterans who tragically became disabled. Granted, there are many other reasons a person would need long-term care, but these are examples that instantaneously came to my thoughts, and I feel would be the most common subjects others could relate to. Long-term care means a lot to me.

With the Baby Boomer generation currently starting to surround us, the elderly population is likely going to be the largest group of people. Therefore, people will still age, and with the aging process, people will still run into health dilemmas. Long-term care is needed.

Clearly, things do not change too quickly, and people will still get sick. Cancer still exists, heart disease still exists, and so do infectious diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome. When the unfortunate become ill stricken with such, long-term care is needed.

Be it, disabled at birth, disabled in a auto accident, or disabled while serving our country, sadly, tragedies do happen, and the innocent are injured. Fortunately, some of these patients have family to care for them, but not everyone is as lucky, and maybe some families just run out of the time, energy and/or the knowledge of how to care for the disabled. Long-term care is needed.

Long-term care also makes me ponder the value of life. While, I don’t believe there is a true quantitative amount that can be placed on someone’s life, I do believe there is a value so high on life that I can’t even fathom it. As an adult, I have witnessed loved ones placed in long-term care facilities. While, some facilities were outstanding, others were below par and it broke my heart. I value long-term care so very high not only because I have seen loved ones require it, but also because I am human, and can truly feel what is the value of life. And, if I can be a part of something so grand as long-term care, I could rightfully make great changes in lives.