As the U.S Department of Health & Human Services states, long-term care services are
defined as the services and support an individual requires in order to be able to meet their
personal care needs. Most of these services include predominantly basic personal tasks like
bathing, dressing, eating, housework, taking medications, etc. Long-term care services are
a fundamental contribution to the health care occupation and should be individualized,
integrated and coordinated tasks to be performed by a professional. It is crucial for patients
to receive an individualized care because every person requires a different kind of care.
For instance, two people with the same disease will most likely need to receive different
medications and types of cares due to the stage of the disease as well as the body’s
response to the specific medication. It is not always the same amount and kind of
treatments for all patients so it is vital for the professional health caregiver to understand
the situation from patient to patient. The caregiver should also integrate the patient’s need
with what is best for their condition. Long-term care services should focus on fitting the
needs of each patient according to the patient’s preference and best commodity as well as
being able to address their needs as time progresses. Coordination is an important key to
the progression of each patient individually, as this sets a goal for him or her in the long