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We all would desire a quick and painless death, however, no one wants to be the first in line. Consequently the rolls of trauma suvivors will continue to swell. The medicine cabinets of people, 65 to 80, are testaments to their will to persevere. Consider recent medical advances; they are but shadows of things to come: organ transplants, by-passes, dialysis, etc. are extending life beyond what our parents knew.
Man has stumbled on to the path to the fountain of lingering. On this path the medical arts can be friend or foe, contingent on our planning or lack thereof. This phase sees many people acknowledging the need for assisted living help, help that is referred to as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL's). IADL's encompass, but are not limited to, housework, meal preparation, managing money, shopping, driving, etc. IADL's can be scheduled to our convenience.
Over time IADL assist progressively leads to care on demand, help that is required twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; this kind of care is referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADL's). These activities include, dressing, toiletry, mobility, bathing, eating, bowel & bladder control, and transfers such as bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to toilet, etc.
It has been a frustrating personal experience to be called to a home for Long Term Care consult, only to have the prospective client answer their door, walker in hand and trailing an oxygen line, stating they are now ready to consider Long Term Care Insurance. They have waited too long. Requirung assistance with at least two of six ADL's is the criteria to trigger policy benefits!