The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a physical or mental health condition that will last for at least 12 months and leaves a person with a complete inability to work. But, for many people, being unable to work for an extended period of time is the least of their concerns — they are going to be disabled for the rest of their lives and they are incapable of doing much more than just work.
Severely disabled people often require long-term care because there is little chance that their condition will improve. Long-term care includes more than just medical treatment — it can include help with day-to-day tasks, such as bathing, eating and using the restroom. So, where can these people get the right long-term care?
In many cases, a family member or friend will provide the requisite care in an unpaid capacity. Disabled people who have such a person in their lives probably count themselves extremely lucky, because others will usually have to pay for a nurse or another type of aide to come to their home on a regular basis. There are also community centers in many places throughout the country that are dedicated to helping disabled people with such needs as transportation and interaction with others.
However, many more disabled people will need to pay for special care, and this can be extremely expensive. Because the costs are so high, it’s crucial that disabled individuals and their families are familiar with their options for Social Security Disability benefits and other public benefits that may help them. Attorneys with experience in Social Security Disability matters can help disabled people and their families review their options and make sure they get all the benefits they deserve.
Source: LongTermCare.gov, “Where Can You Receive Care?,” accessed May 31, 2015
