Life Care Planning And The Benefits

By Raymond Foster


Individuals with severe catastrophic disabilities often need assistance in different areas of life. Now, with life care planning, these individuals can plan ahead for future needs with the help of a professional. Each planning professional attends to the current needs of a client, then sets up a profile for future needs based on a number of different factors.

In this program, disabled individuals work with professionals to first establish an overall medical evaluation and profile. While the evaluation focuses on past and present medical needs, the profile also includes perspective medical needs, equipment, services and treatments which might also be necessary in the future.

While new, the process incorporates different policies, principles, practices, published standards, tenets, modalities, methodologies and processes somewhat akin to life coaching. Actually, medical life coaching could be a good definition for these new type long term planning programs. These care plans much like life coaching also work with family members, providers and others to develop guidelines and associate relevant research to current and future needs of the client.

Individuals can benefit in a number of ways from these type programs. Being a system akin to case management, various tools can be used for ongoing consultation with clients, families and professionals. In most cases, this type planning is something that will be needed on a life long basis. Some of these tools include conference calling, internet research, telephone contact, video-conferencing and information sharing.

The use of these type care planning programs along with regular medical visits, physical therapy and at times psychological counseling are often used as management and preventative tools. Use of these type programs within the judicial system often helps create an accurate profile and needs of those seeking to become involved in the process. Once a profile has been developed, the provider can better understand and accommodate the needs of each client.

While elements of the program are often consistent between clients, each has a different and specific need. As such, most programs are individualized to the needs of each client and family. During enrollment, a plan is devised for current and future treatment. Whether due to aging, or complex complications, clients with a catastrophic disability are most likely going to need continued ongoing care in different areas.

Every client basically goes through the same process and sequence when signing up for long term planning program. The sequence includes projections of future evaluations, modalities, future medical care, physical therapy, psychological counseling, rehabilitation, strength testing and others. Food and transportation can also be part of this type program if the individual does not own, or can not operate a motor vehicle due to the nature of the disability.

While some individuals find these programs comforting, others find that focusing on the present is better than planning for the future. Whereas, in some cases knowing what to expect can often help one better understand and prepare for changes which have been known to happen to others with similar disabilities. Regardless, it is up to each individual to decide for oneself or a family member as to what type medical care and planning is right at each moment in time.




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