Information on Long-Term Care and Assisted Living

Need to advise someone in your congregation about long-term care or assisted living? Although your local agency on aging and local senior center are probably the places family members and older adults turn to most often when they need help, many churches today are providing valuable help and information, too. If your congregation is intentional in its ministry with older adults, you may find yourself being asked questions about long-term care and assisted living issues.

Although there are many useful sources of information, one helpful resource available to churches is the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). NCAL is the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the nation's largest organization representing long-term care providers. For information, contact:
National Center for Assisted Living
1201 "L" Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: 202-842-444
Website: www.ncal.org

Information is also available concerning long-term care. A Guide for Families, in particular, is a resource congregations will find helpful. For example, topics include:

• Having a Conversation about Long-Term Care
• The First 30 Days
• Living in a Nursing Facility: Myths & Realities
• Making the Transition
• Advance Directives: Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Tips on Visiting Friends and Relatives
• Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's

Although the information about long-term care can be located at www.ncal.org, it can also be easily obtained at www.longtermcareliving.com.