A life care plan represents a dynamic document based upon standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, research, and data analysis, providing an organized and concise plan that addresses current and future medical and medically related goods and service needs of individuals who have residual disability associated with traumatic injuries or chronic disease.
Through the life care planning process, a systematic and logical approach is employed to identify anticipated health care needs resulting from a disabling condition to the end of life expectancy. This process requires the coordination and management of information from many sources. Medical, social, psychological, vocational, educational, and rehabilitation data are taken into consideration to the extent they are available and applicable. Medical literature germane to critical issues in the plan is surveyed to reflect current concepts of care for patients and disease state management. The impact of aging with disability and the progression of disease are reflected in the plan.
The life care plan provides for services needed to prevent or significantly reduce known complications or comorbidity over time. Potential complications associated with the principle diagnoses are discussed and the care needs for these complications are also projected. The range of services in the geographic area or region is utilized to provide an analysis of the projected goods and services, along with usual and customary costs. These costs are typically expressed as present day costs derived from reliable data and resources.
The life care plan serves as a guide for family members, case managers, and health care providers. It represents a blueprint for anticipated health care and other related needs based upon reasonable medical and rehabilitation probability and current concepts of patient care management. Life care plans provide valuable information for those who maintain a fiduciary responsibility for disabled individuals. As such, the life care plan is often used by financial professionals who are charged with the task of selecting appropriate investment strategies to preserve funding for the procurement of future care throughout an individual’s lifetime.