Jan 29th, 2019
Social media is in the news. As more people experience a family member suffering from memory loss the issue is coming out of the shadows. People share their thoughts and feelings about dementia and long-term care.
Like it or not, social media has become a way people of all ages communicate. In addition to news and information, people share their inner thoughts, sometimes with little filter. As more American family’s experience, a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, more and more people are becoming aware of this devastating disease.
Think about it for a moment; if you are like most people, you know a loved one, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who is dealing with a family member who suffers from cognitive decline. Add other issues that cause a person to require long-term care services and supports and/or supervision due to memory loss, and you understand the pressure and stress many American families are going through.
Genworth, one of the nation’s leading insurance companies who offer Long-Term Care Insurance products, noted that nearly half of all their claims lasting longer than one year are due to cognitive issues.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 5.7 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018. It is expected to triple by the year 2060. Plus, there are many other forms of dementia.
The CDC reports Alzheimer’s disease is:
Social media is reflecting this and the financial costs and burdens that go with longevity, which includes cognitive declines.
Not only do families have first-hand experience with this, so do those who care for those inflicted.
The Alzheimer's Association says without some medical advance for treatment or prevention, in 2050, Alzheimer's care is expected to cost more than $1.1 trillion (in 2018 dollars). Like most long-term care situations, more women suffer more than men do. Almost two-thirds of Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's are women.
Women also tend to be the first caregivers for their husbands. Medicare recipients (those age 65 and older) with Alzheimer's or other dementias are more likely than those without dementia to have other chronic conditions. What this means is many of these individuals not only require supervision due to their memory loss but require other long-term care services. This care will assist them with their normal living activities due to aging or health problems in addition to their dementia.
Caregiving is hard on loved ones, and paid care will drain savings and investments and adversely impacting income, lifestyle, and legacy. Health insurance and, for those 65 and older, Medicare (including Medicare supplements) will only pay a limited amount of skilled care.
The problem is most long-term care, including supervision care due to memory loss, is custodial in nature. This means a person requires help with everyday activities of daily living and/or supervision due to cognitive decline.
The bottom line is you and your family will be responsible for the care and management of the care, including paying for care either at home or a facility. Without an advance plan, your family will have this responsibility unless you put a plan in place to reduce the stress and burden that comes from your future aging.
Many assisted living facilities have memory care units that specialize with those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. For those who have more advanced needs, nursing home or memory care facilities are available. These facilities can be very costly.
The national average for a skilled nursing home is running over $100,000 a year. The actual cost does vary depending on location and the number of services a person requires. The LTC NEWS cost of care calculator will illustrate both the current and future costs of long-term care services in your area. You can also find the availability partnership plans (which provide additional asset protection) and tax incentives for Long-Term Care Insurance. Just click here to start your research.
No matter what your situation might be it will still have a significant impact on family members.
Don’t think for a second that as you get older your future health changes will not have an emotional impact on those you love. The fact is there is a physical, emotional, and even financial burden that is placed on family members when you require long-term care services. The emotional part of the equation, for many, is just as hard as any financial or physical impact they experience.
Without an advance plan to address longevity and long-term care, you either will pay for care out of your own savings, depend on family members (often a daughter or daughter-in-law), or both. Remember, your children have (or will have) their own careers, families, and responsibilities. Even if you have a substantial amount of savings, your future care will still need to be managed. One of your children will decide which account to liquidate and the type and quality of care you will receive.
The AARP says, in addition to physical and emotional pressure, your family will often feel a financial strain.
Experts suggest planning well before retirement. Long-Term Care Insurance provides tax-free resources to pay for your choice of quality care in the setting you desire. Does Long-Term Care Insurance actually work? Yes! In 2019, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance reported that the major insurance companies paid over $11 Billion in benefits to American families from these affordable policies.
Long-Term Care Insurance is more than just money. Most policies will pay for professional case management. These case managers will make recommendations and arrangements for care and design a plan of care which you and your family approve.
Long-Term Care Insurance gives your family the gift of time. Time to just be family without the strain and pressure of either being a caregiver or managing your plan of care. This means your family will be left with better memories of you, and their future social media posts will be more reflective of the positive and not just the negative.
There are several types of Long-Term Care Insurance plans which are available to consumers. A qualified, experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist will help design an appropriate plan based on your individual situation. However, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, few general insurance agents or financial advisors have this type of experience. So be sure you seek an authentic specialist to provide you with the best options from a variety of top companies.
There are many options available with the many insurance companies which offer these products. Seek the help of a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist who can guide you through the maze.
These policies are very affordable, especially if you are in good health and plan before you retire.
Don’t ignore the risk. Remember, the chance of you living beyond age 75 is very high. More people are living beyond 80. The longer you live, the higher the risk. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says if you reach the age of 65, you have a seven in ten chance of needing some type of long-term care service. A significant amount of younger people today need long-term care services as well.
Make long-term care planning an essential part of your overall retirement plan. Then you can tweet to the world that you and your family will enjoy peace-of-mind. You can’t prevent getting older and need extended care. You can make it much easier for those you love.