What in the World is Life Care Planning?

22 April, 2010 (11:31) | Health Care | By: Sandy

Medical Professional Have you ever really heard of “Life Care Planning” as a career? I think this may be one area of the health care profession with which many people are unfamiliar. I had never heard of it myself until several years ago when I was working for a company that dealt with distance education.

Who needs a life care planning?

When an individual survives some type of catastrophe that results in a major disability or chronic illness, this individual’s life is changed forever. Think of Christopher Reeves and how quickly his life changed after his accident. He lived for years afterward with many special needs.

The devastation of such an event is terrible enough, but not having the money or the know how to deal with all the medical treatments and the extra care one needs as a result of a catastrophic injury complicates the situation to incomprehensible proportions.

Enter the Certified Life Care Planner

This is the person who has the understanding and knowledge to develop plans, make recommendations, work with doctors, lawyers, or whoever is involved to help the injured person receive the kind of care that will allow him or her to live as independently as possible.

Among some of the best candidates for entering the Life Care Planning Certificate program are those already in the medical field in one capacity or another – nurses, therapists, case managers, chiropractors, speech pathologists, doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, social workers and special education professionals. Having the medical background provides a strong understanding of what the needs really are as far as life care planning.

Is it time for a career change or an additional certification?

If you are among those health care professionals who may be thinking about a career change or an additional certification to help you branch out on your own to some degree, earning your certification in Life Care Planning may be something to think about for the future. The need for qualified life-care planners continues to grow.

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