Life Care Plans
As defined by the International Academy of Life Care Planners in their standards of practice, “the life care plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, data analysis and research, which provides an organized, concise plan for current and future needs with associated cost for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs.” [1]
For example, when individuals suffer a brain injury or stroke, the effects can be catastrophic and require a wide range of specialized and diverse care. Since each person’s needs are unique, they often require services from many professionals across different specialties such as neurologists, neuropsychologists, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists.
Life care plans provide a detailed view of an individual’s various needs and are frequently developed through a collaborative effort, incorporating recommendations from multiple healthcare providers. A doctor might recommend diagnostic tests, lab work, medications, and surgeries throughout the individual’s life, while a neuropsychiatrist’s evaluation may highlight cognitive and behavioral deficits that require changes in educational, vocational, or therapeutic interventions. Life care plans are used in workers’ compensation claims, civil litigation, mediation, insurance reserve setting, discharge planning, Medicare set-asides, elder care, and other areas. [2]
Who Needs Life Care Planning?
Individuals who suffer from a catastrophic injury or illness can significantly benefit from life care planning. This includes those who have experienced:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Burns or electrical injury
- Complex orthopedic injuries
In addition, individuals with chronic pain, those who have undergone an organ transplant, or who have visual or other sensory impairments, and even individuals with psychiatric disorders resulting from traumatic events may benefit from life care planning. It is especially helpful for children born with or who develop lifelong disabilities shortly after birth, as their care needs evolve as they age.
A life care plan addresses both current and future needs by considering what the individual will require to live as optimally and healthily as possible. Life care planners take into account how an individual will age with their disability, making the plan a dynamic document that is updated throughout the person’s life to reflect changes in medical, rehabilitative, and psychological needs. Ultimately, the plan outlines when services or items will be needed, how frequently they will be required, and what they will cost.
An effective life care plan provides a comprehensive view of the varied and complex needs of individuals living with chronic illnesses or recovering from catastrophic injuries.
[1] “Life Care Planning FAQ”, International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, accessed October 12, 2020, https://connect.rehabpro.org/lcp/about/new-item/new-item
[2] https://connect.rehabpro.org/lcp/about/new-item/new-item5