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Sunday, December 20, 2015

By Raymond Foster


When it comes to caring for the elderly, sick and disabled, it is often a challenge. A new program aimed at helping individuals manage life with a catastrophic illness, injury or disability is now available. Life care planning, somewhat of a medical life coaching program is now making it easier for these individuals to manage every day life, ongoing medical care and treatment and better understand what may be needed in the future.

First, the client provides an overall evaluation of the client based on past and present medical history. After which, intensive consideration is given to the needs of the client and family based on the severity of disability in the present and future expectations. When clients have multiple disabilities, different plans are often required for each issue.

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.

Developing an evaluation based on current health trends and medical needs, and establishing a profile for future needs is an essential part of the process. A good example of what might be needed in the future as a client ages are food delivery and transportation, wheelchairs and other medical equipment and services. Research is also an essential part of the process as some relevant research has been known to help individuals overcome, or, at least lessen the effects of a disability over time.

Each individual or family member must decide whether this type program might be beneficial whether now or in the future. Disabled individuals living alone often benefit the most from these type long term planning situations. Whereas, even those living with limited disability can also benefit in knowing what might be in store for the future based on past and present research.




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