We all might need a little extra help some day as the result of an accident, illness, or aging. This help might be with simple things like bathing or dressing, but having support is critical in allowing us to remain at home and as independent as possible. While family can help, the burden can become overwhelming at times. Hiring professional caregivers or moving to an assisted living or memory care facility may be necessary. That is why Long Term Care insurance is so important to financial and retirement planning.
What is Permanent Life Insurance?
Many of us have Group Term Life Insurance and potentially some supplementary coverage through our employer. These policies protect us from an unexpected death during our working years but are generally cost prohibitive once we leave employment and are subject to individual rates. On the other hand, permanent Life Insurance provides permanent coverage that we take into retirement, at the same cost as when we were working.
We may not need as much life insurance in our golden years as we did during the working ones, but the combined protection of LTC and death benefits can help provide great peace of mind by protecting the life and legacy you worked so hard to build.
52% of caregivers are the adult children of the recipients
Caregivers provide care for 3-4 years
Recipients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may require care for 10+ years
Nearly 70% of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of long term care during their lives, but only 1/3 of Americans have set aside money to protect themselves or loved ones should the need arise.
Protect your family, future and finances with Life Insurance & Long Term Care protection.
My mom and stepfather had to
sell their home and move closer to
family because they can’t afford to put
my stepfather into memory care. If they had planned for Long Term Care expenses, they could have paid for a home health aide and remained in their home.
My parents were elderly, but
they seemed to be getting
around fine on their own. After
my dad fell and tore his meniscus things changed. My dad could no longer move around the house and take care of himself, and we knew my mom couldn’t take care of him alone. I’m grateful they had Long Term Care Insurance as it gave them and us children peace of mind. Their policy helped get them into an assisted living home which allowed my dad to get the custodial care and assistance he needed without relying heavily on the family to take care of him.
After my mom took care of my dad for several years, she went out and bought LTC Insurance for herself. She even had the foresight to choose the inflation option. With that insurance, Mom was able to “keep her independence” (as she put it), by having 8 to 16 hour a day home health care for many years. Mom and we kids were ever so thankful that she had that insurance!
Pat
”
“
At 27 I was getting married, well entrenched in my career path, and making all the adult decisions in life. One of those decisions was to purchase a Long Term Care policy. I had no chronic conditions, no concerns about impending disease nor did I
think I would need the policy until well into the
future (like my 401k). At age 39 this dramatically changed. I couldn't write, my balance was off, and
I was seeing double – this was diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. My early decision of preparing
for the future meant I have total choice on
how I receive care, and it also means I
do not burden those I love with care
needs. If I had waited to purchase a
policy until I was 40, I would have
been uninsurable.
Laura
”
“
Long Term Care Insurance is vital but often overlooked. It protects individuals and families from the financial and emotional stress of providing care for a loved one. A lack of coverage can burden families, as seen with my brother-in-law's situation. Having a policy allows for professional care, reducing the family's load. Planning with Long Term Care Insurance ensures quality care and peace of mind.
People with adequate cash flow and/or Long Term Care Insurance can remain in their home and avoid nursing homes. My mother’s Long Term Care Insurance policy combined with her Social Security and investment income provided her with the necessary income to remain safe in her home during COVID – at a time when nursing home residents were dying at record levels.