| |
| |
|
Insurance Information |
|
|
|
Long-Term Care Insurance: Eldercare Solution
When I suddenly had to become a fulltime caregiver to my elderly parents, both with health problems and starting to develop dementia (namely Alzheimer's), I had never even heard of Long-Term Care Insurance. After we burned through their life savings, and then started chipping away at mine, I was advised to apply for financial assistance for them through the government's Medicaid system--a program for those at the poverty level. It was quite a long process with mounds of paperwork and numerous investigations, but finally my parents were approved. I was so happy that monetary help would finally be on the way, until I discovered that the financial assistance would only pay to put my parents in a nursing home, not even in Assisted Living, and with very little help to keep them in their own home. Since their levels of care were so different (my mother needed most things done for her), there weren't any facilities that would allow them to be together. They'd be across the street from each other in different wings of the home. After fifty-five years of marriage, my parents were adamant about wanting to be together in their own home, in their own bed, where they could continue to cuddle and kiss--as they so frequently did. And, since my father was so "difficult" with a terrible temper and quite a long record of manipulative disruptive behaviors, the homes didn't want to deal with him anyway. It was challenging, but I committed to keeping my parents in their own home and attending Adult Day Health Care five days a week. Then, with the help of two marvelous caregivers, after four more years of loving each other--they passed, just a few months apart. Even though caring for every aspect of my parents' last years was the hardest thing I have ever done--I am proud to say I gave them the best end-of-life I possibly could. Had I only known to insist that we buy Long-Term Care Insurance for them prior to their illnesses--their years of in-home care could have been paid for, and I could have saved myself so much heartache, not to mention a small fortune. I encourage you to learn from my mistake and look into LTC insurance long before you need it-for your loved ones as well as yourself. Like fire insurance, hopefully, you'll never have to use it. Also, call your local Area Agency on Aging, or Department of Aging, and ask if there are any financial programs, waivers or grants available in your area that you can apply for. STARTLING STATISTICS · An estimated 4.5 to 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. In a Gallup poll, 1 in 10 Americans said that they had a family member with Alzheimer's, and 1 in 3 knew someone with the disease. · Increasing age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's. One in 10 individuals over 65 and nearly half over 85 are affected. Rare, inherited forms of Alzheimer's can even strike individuals in their 30's and 40's. · A person with Alzheimer's disease will live an average of eight years and as many as 20 years or more from the first onset of symptoms. · More than 7 out of 10 people with Alzheimer's disease live at home, where family and friends provide 80 percent of their care. The estimated value of this informal care is $257 billion annually. · One half of the U.S. population has a chronic condition. More than one quarter (26.6%) of the adult population provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend, which translates to more than 50 million people. · 37% of caregivers are living in the same household as the person they care for. 54% are between 35 and 64 years of age. 59% of the adult population either is or expects to be a family caregiver, and 2 million more caregivers will be needed in the next twenty years. · An estimated 43% of Americans age 65 or older will spend time in a nursing home. By 2012, 75% of Americans over age 65 will require long-term care. Long-term care costs are rising at 6% annually. · The annual cost of Alzheimer's care in the U.S. is at least $100 billion, and will soar to at least $375 billion by mid-century, overwhelming our health care system and bankrupting Medicare and Medicaid. · Alzheimer's disease costs American business $61 billion a year, which is equivalent to the net profits of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies. $24.6 billion covers Alzheimer health care, and $36.5 billion covers costs related to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, including lost productivity, absenteeism and worker replacement. THREE WAYS TO PAY FOR LONG-TERM CARE 1. Pay for in-home caregivers and assisted living/nursing homes out of pocket. This is expensive and can often deplete a family's life savings. 2. Meet a very specific poverty level and qualify for government assistance through the Medicaid program. Unfortunately, options are limited, only paying for nursing homes that accept Medicaid. 3. Buy a Comprehensive Long-Term Care Insurance policy. This protects your family's assets from the rising costs of caring for someone who needs full time care. An employer might pay the tax-deductible premiums. Consider buying it at a younger age, when more affordable and accessible. It must be bought before a major illness strikes. Medicare and regular health insurance does not pay for long-term care. The average cost for a person who needs long-term care is $40-$70,000 annually, depending on where you live, plus the cost to the family caregiver who may have to leave their job. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR INSURANCE AGENT --Is the coverage comprehensive, meaning it includes all levels of care: in the home, assisted living, board & care, and nursing/dementia facilities? --What is the daily benefit? --Is there 5% annually compounded inflation protection? --What is the elimination period? --Is it a lifetime benefit period or a limited time benefit policy? --Is there a spousal discount? --Can you hire caregivers privately as well as from an agency? --Is the home care benefit based on a daily, weekly or monthly maximum, and if the benefit is not used, can it be used in the future? --Does it cover home care coordination of services? --How many ADL's (Activities of Daily Living) does it take to trigger a claim? --Is there a time limit for filing a claim? --Does it cover the cost of Adult Day Care & Adult Day Health Care, hospice and respite programs? --Is it a tax-qualified plan? --Is the company highly rated and have they ever raised premiums? --Can you see the company's published annual audit to check their track record for paying claims? ### Jacqueline Marcell is a national speaker on eldercare and the author of, "Elder Rage", a Book-of-the-Month Club selection being considered for a feature film. Over fifty endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin and Dr. Dean Edell. Jacqueline also hosts a radio program heard worldwide on: http://www.wsradio.com/copingwithcaregiving . For more information: http://www.ElderRage.com Permission is granted to publish all/part of this article free of charge as long as: the author's byline is included, the links are live, and the author is notified: J.Marcell@cox.net or 949-975-1012.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Choosing the Best Life Insurance Option for You Life insurance in the UK is becoming more and more popular with many people now realizing the importance and the benefits of a good life insurance policy. There are two main types of popular life insurance, both of which offer a range of invaluable benefits to UK consumers. A Free Term Life Insurance Quote Is Only Easy To Obtain By searching online for life insurance, you can get a free term life insurance quote with no obligation to buy. In order to get the free term life insurance quote, you fill in the form on the appropriate page of the life insurance company website. Everyone Wants The Cheapest Automobile Insurance Quote When you are looking for an automobile insurance quote, the first thing you usually do is pick up the phone and start calling the various insurance companies in your local area. Then you have to wait for them to call you back with a quote, which quite often is very similar to what you are already paying. Keys To Controlling The Future of Health Care Several key changes are necessary to get control of the costs associated with the run away health care system in the United States.Here are just a few suggestions:1) Cost information about medical procedures and cost comparisons to alternative treatments need to be more easily available so that consumers can make better educated health care choices. Cut Business Insurance in 8 ways 1. Comply with recommendations from company engineers and loss control. Global Warming: Why Consumers and Insurers Are Getting Hot Under the Collar Over Life Insurance. Global warming may have been lurking on our horizon for a number of years and historical records of terrorists have existed for thousands of years, but we are coming into a new age where we try and financially protect ourselves against such problems and if we're honest ? we're struggling.The recent terrorism attacks in London brought home the fragility of human life to many Brits, who had previously been able to distance themselves from terrorist activity. Life Insurance Providing Little Protection from Terrorism Recent statements by the City of London Police Commissioner James Hart that future terrorist attacks in London's financial centre are, "a matter of when, rather than if", will increase already serious concerns over issues of personal and business financial protection.Mr Hart's statement pointed out that, "if you want to hurt the government, hurt people at the same time, and you want to cause maximum disruption. Do Discount Fees for Medical Service Programs Really Work? Having a health insurance policy provides a great sense of security for many families. Most people with health insurance usually have it through their employer and the employee and the employer may share the responsibility on paying the premium. Long Term Care Insurance How Much Should I Buy? Long-term care insurance policies have a variety of features and it pays to shop around. It is quite easy in the final years of your life to run up extremely large care bills which could threaten your life savings, home and your children's inheritance. How to Reduce Car Insurance Premiums Here are some useful tips on how to reduce car insurance premiums. Firstly, you need to find a sense of balance between coverage and cost. Life Insurance: Who Needs It And How Much Do You Need? Your friendly, neighborhood life insurance agent is most likely to answer this question with the word "everybody."The fact is, not everybody does need life insurance. Health Savings Accounts Most people with health insurance, especially employer paid health insurance, really don't know what their health care costs are. Furthermore, in many cases, they are limited in which health providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies etc) they can use. Saving on Home Insurance: Tips for Cutting Costs Everyone is searching for a way of cutting costs, a method to lower their overall monetary expenses. Saving on home insurance is a reasonable, viable option when choosing to take control of your finances. Canadian Funeral Insurance: Our Final Gift to Those We Love Most of us don't like thinking about our own funerals, but no matter how much we ignore the inevitable, the truth is that when the time comes someone will be responsible for those expenses. The question is will it be our grieving loved ones who foot the bill or will we plan ahead and purchase funeral insurance to cover those costs so they'll have one less concern to worry about. Life Insurance Leads, Insurance Leads, and the Online Lead Generation Business I've long wanted to write an article about Internet Leads (Life Insurance Leads, Health Insurance Leads, Homeowner's Insurance Leads, etc) and why they are a waste of money, time, and a drain on the Insurance Industry. Thank you ezinearticles for this powerful resource in communication!Insurance Agents all over the USA are getting solicitations every single day for one new lead program or another. Insurance or Assurance - Do You Need Reassurance? Insurance versus assurance: what is the difference?Should you care?Yes!!The world of finance is extremely complicated and there are many factors to consider when choosing any financial protection product.When looking for a policy you need to know what you are looking for and what is on offer in order that you get the right cover for your needs. If You Rent A Home, Protect It By Buying Renters Insurance Renters insurance is often overlooked by people who are renting their house or apartment. Many people don't realize that their landlord's insurance only covers the building that you live, there in no coverage for your personal belongs. Underinsurance Can Spell Disaster For Homeowners Insurance is meant to give homeowners peace of mind, but an increasing number of policy holders are putting themselves at risk by neglecting to insure their home and contents adequately.There is often confusion over the difference between guaranteed and extended replacement value insurance. Entrepreneurs, Fill in the Gaps of Your Homeowners Policy Business Owners Policies for the Self-EmployedWho needs a business owner's policy?Simple, anyone that runs a business from their home should have one. A comprehensive coverage homeowner's policy will cover economic losses caused by damage or legal liability but, once a home business is discovered any economic loss that can be associated to your business is your problem. Cheap Car Insurance - 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs With the cost of car insurance becoming more and more of an issue for the average American family, there are increasing numbers of people looking for cheap car insurance. But although it is possible to find cheap car insurance, the question remains, is it worth buying?Everyone knows that car insurance companies are not all equal.
|
| home | site map | contact | Partners |
| © 2006 - insurance-information.cliczoom.com |
