Long-term care can be needed for a variety of reasons from accident injuries, debilitating and long-term illness, or simply
due to becoming elderly. This paper explains how there are sometimes when persons cannot care for themselves and must rely on others for their daily needs. Sometimes the care takes place in a facility designed to provide such services. However, sometimes the burden of caring for loved ones falls on family members or even friends. The writer discusses how long term care places a strain on people financially, and how this has been the primary focus of health care policy regarding long term care in the past. The paper also discusses the many emotional
issues associated with it as well, not only for the patient, but for the caregiver as well. These issues can cause a variety of difficulties including depression, fatigue, stress and can even lead to the break up of a family. These issues place an even greater burden on the system and
society as a whole. It states that these issues must be considered when making new long-term health care policies. Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Social Factors Affecting Care Giving A. Effects of Divorce B. Effects of Abuse and Neglect C. Effects of Women in the Workforce D. Proximity and Other Factors III. The Long Term Care Shortage A. Scope of the Problem B. Factor Involved C. Future Trends IV. Formal Long Term Care: The Impact on Society A. Scope of Problem B. Minority Issues C. Financial Impact on Family D. Social Workers and Home Caregivers V. The Effects on the Caregiver A. Physical and Emotional Symptoms B. Five Major Causes of Stress Among Home Caregivers C. Wearing Many Hats VI. Solutions