Life care planning is a useful tool for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs. The life care plan is a document that provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s current and future medical and rehabilitation needs. It provides a lifelong guide to assist in the delivery of health care services to the individual concerned. The plan details the costs of services related to long-term care and recommendations for medical and rehabilitation interventions.
The goals1 of a Life Care Plan are:
- Assist the client in achieving optimal outcomes by developing an appropriate plan of prevention of medical complications and restoration of normal functioning. This may include recommendations for evaluations or for treatment that may contribute to the client’s level of wellness. Information regarding treatment requirements is also provided.
- Provide health education to the client and interested parties, when appropriate.
- Develop accurate and timely cost information and specify service allocations that can be applied by the client and interested parties.
- Develop options for care that may be necessary for alternative situations
- Communicate the Life Care Plan and objectives to the client and interested parties
- Develop measurement tools which can be used to analyze outcomes
- Routinely develop comprehensive assessments of the projected goals of the Life Care Plan, whenever possible
What is the Usefulness of a Life Care Plan? Rocky Mountain Rehab provides Life Care Plans that are comprehensive and provide an accurate analysis of an individual’s needs. A Life Care Plan can be used by attorneys, clients and families, and community organizations and treatment providers for the purpose of planning for long-term health care needs.
1 Based on the International Academy of Life Care Planners Standards of Practice