NEW!
A Woman's Guide To
Long-Term Care Insurance Protection
published by the AALTCI
If you or your loved one were faced with the need for long-term care services tomorrow, what would you do?
What would be the impact on your lifestyle and your savings?
Would you want your children to suddenly have to direct their resources toward your care?
What is the average cost of LTC care in your area?
Would you rather receive care in a facility or in your own home?
Today, the responsibility of long-term care planning is up to you!
Let's start at the beginning...What is Long Term Care?
Long -term care is the type of assistance people need on an on-going basis, a the result of a physical or cognitive impairment that prevents them from performing normal daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing.
Is Long-Term Care exclusively an issue for the elderly?
You may feel that you are too young to think about long-term care. But, sadly, long-term care can materialize at any age.
* Approximately 40% of people needing long-term care are between the ages of 18 to 64.
* About one third of the 700,000 stroke victims each year in the U.S. are under 65.
What are the odds that I will need Long-Term Care?
It's human nature to be optimistic about how healthy we are going to be but the truth is, as we get older, so do our bodies. It's a natural part of the aging process to find ourselves needing assistance with daily life.
* After the age of 65, americans have more than a 70% chance of needing some form of long-term care..
Won't Medicare pay for my long term care needs?
The fact is, many people mistakenly believe that they are covered for long-term care services when they are not. The reality is that since long-term care is not considered medical care, most health plans do not cover it.
* 62% of adults ages 45 and older, are unaware of the policies of Medicare. Medicaid or disability insurance with respect to long-term care.
Medicare will cover some health care costs for retirees, but only what is considered "medically necessary". It was not designed to pay for extended long-term care and should not be counted on as a resource to meet this need.
What about my family? I'm sure they would be willing to take care of me.
When you consider this option, have you thought about the real consequences? If the care is for an extended time, could your spouse or children handle the stress on themselves or other members of their family?
FACT: Family care-givers who provide care 36 hours or more each week are very likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. For spouses who are care-givers, the rate is six times higher; for thsoe caring for a parent, the rate is twice as high.
For many, the sole reason they purchase long-term care insurace, is to avoid becoming a financial or emotional burden to their family.
Just how expensive is Long-Term Care? I want to be sure my retirement is secure.
As a national average, a year in a private room in a nursing home is estimated to cost $70,080. In some regions, it can easily cost twice that amount. Assuming 5% annual inflation, these numbers will increase over 250% in the next twenty years.
The national average hourly rate for a Home Health Care aide to help with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, and similar household chores is $22 per hour. Add in the cost of skilled help, such as physical therapists, and these costs can be much greater.
For current study of cost of care in your area, Click Here !
The cost of long-term care services can be staggering and could pose a threat to your financial independence during your retirement years!
What are the main advantages of having long-term care insurance?
A key advantage is freedom to choose where you want to receive care. Most people want privacy and prefer to be cared for in the comfort of their home. Another important reason is to help protect assets and savings against the rising cost of care. Still another reason is not having to rely on family for all your care needs.
For a Free Copy of my brochure entitled,
"Avoid Mistakes in Buying Long-Term Care Insurance"