Long-Term Care Planning
As we age, the likelihood of needing some type of medical or personal care increases. We may require long-term care—a variety of services that help meet the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. Such services typically include assistance with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom. Long-term care can be available at home, in community assisted living facilities, or nursing homes.
On average, the need for long-term care services lasts months or years, not weeks or months, and can be very expensive. The costs of long-term care, on average, exceed $50,000 per year (www.longtermcare.gov), and generally speaking, Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, and basic medical insurance plans do not cover the cost.
Long-term care insurance was developed precisely for this reason – to provide financial protection against the cost of long-term care that other plans don't cover. If you need long-term care services, what financial resources could you call on? Do you have the necessary savings to pay for home health care for six months, a year, or longer without the expense being a burden on your lifestyle? A long-term care insurance policy, based on your need for care, will pay a daily or monthly benefit amount to cover some or all of your long-term care costs. Some policies will pay benefits for up to a stated period, such as three or four years, while others pay until a maximum dollar amount has been paid, such as $350,000. Most policies have options for your daily or monthly and policy maximum benefits to automatically increase every year so that your coverage keeps pace with rising health care costs.
How we can help
It's never too early to consider long-term care insurance because the younger you are when you buy it, the less it costs. If you are 45 or older, we encourage you to learn more now. By preparing in advance, you can minimize the stress and financial burden on yourself and your loved ones. Don't wait until a crisis arises—reach out to us today to explore your long-term care options and create a comprehensive plan that gives you peace of mind for the years ahead. Let us help you take control of your future.