Critical and Long-Term Care

Long-term care (LTC) refers to a wide range of facilities and environments that are designed to care for people who are unable to live independently. Residential care facilities (RCFs; also known as assisted-living facilities/assisted-living residences), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)/nursing facilities (also known as nursing homes or extended-care facilities), and personal-care homes are examples of these institutions. In addition, home health agencies (HHAs), hospices, and adult day service providers can help with care in a number of settings, including private homes. Each service provider is responsible for a different patient demographic, yet they are all faced with the challenge of caring for an ageing population. Approximately 70% of adults over the age of 65 will require LTC at some point in their lives, with more than 40% requiring nursing home care for a period of time. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is widespread in LTC settings, is a diverse illness characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. COPD develops slowly over time and is more common in those over the age of 40 and those who have smoked in the past, while genetic and environmental factors can also play a role. COPD is a major long-term condition that is exacerbated in the LTC population, which is made up of older and sicker individuals with more cognitive impairments, physical impairments, and multimorbidity.