10/06/2020
October is Long-Term Care Awareness and Planning Month!
Do you have a plan in place?
This month (and any month) seniors, and those soon to be seniors, and those acting on their behalf, are encouraged to develop a plan to help meet the high costs of extended care. For the most part, a majority of long-term care costs are not covered by most health insurance plans or Medicare. That is where planning for Long-Term Care becomes so important. I encourage families to explore long-term care planning options.
There are of course advantages to planning ahead before the need arises. By preparing for the future, you can make choices for how and where you wish to spend your later years. It also removes the burden from adult children and others to make choices for others, a task not often envied by most. Currently, Medicare only covers medical and rehabilitative care (doctors and nurses) and does not cover non-medical care including help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Medicaid will cover the cost of long-term care but only after an individual has depleted all their assets, and the choice of Medicaid facilities or Medicaid in-home services are very limited.
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care is a range of services and supports residents may need to meet their personal care needs. Most long-term care is not medical care, but rather assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life, sometimes called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as:
• Bathing
• Dressing
• Using the toilet
• Transferring (to or from bed or chair)
• Caring for incontinence
• Eating
Why Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care?
• Long term care is a leading cause of catastrophic out-of-pocket health care costs for the elderly and their adult children.
• By planning ahead when seniors are in relatively good health, will greatly increase the chances of qualifying for Long-Term Care Insurance which will cover most, if not all, of their non-medical long-term care costs. Also the younger and healthier you are, the lower your premium costs could be.
Most policies sold today are comprehensive. They typically allow you to use your benefit in a variety of settings, including:
• Your home
• Adult day service centers
• Hospice care
• Respite care
• Assisted living facilities
• Alzheimer’s special care facilities
• Nursing homes
I am experienced and cerified in long-term care. For additional information call me at 954-295-7327.