Be Aware, of Long Term Care
When I was in my early 50’s, my mother became extremely disoriented and could no longer live alone in her house. The woman who I had never thought of as “old” suddenly needed more care than my sister and I could give her. After much angst, the decision was made to introduce her to residence in an assisted living facility and, for my mother, it was truly the ‘way back’ to civilization. In her own house, my mother had become very non-verbal, didn’t get dressed and rarely even got out of bed most days. After only one week in an assisted living facility she was participating in everything they had to offer and thoroughly engaged socially with the other residents. My mother didn’t have long term care, but she had enough money to keep her in that facility for eight years until she died in 2009 at the age of 94. She was fortunate and I got the message loud and clear. I ran right out and applied for long term care for both my husband and myself
Fast forward to 2011, when my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and, after 9 years of caring for him as his health continued to deteriorate, I was forced to look at my options for the coming year. Yes, he and I had applied for long term care, but his health precluded him from being accepted by any company selling the product. As for me, I was issued a policy and obtained a 20% discount because we had applied together.
Because my husband didn’t qualify for this coverage I am now paying $3,350 per month to keep him safe and warm in an assisted living facility. This is what it costs if you are forced to pay privately. Yes, there is always Medicaid,
however, few facilities even entertain residents whose sole means of payment is via Medicaid. In addition, for Medicaid eligibility there is a 5 year look back and extensive rules governing what assets you are allowed to keep. Truly a nightmare for someone in the midst of a family crisis.
At a time when the family is in an emergency situation due to the rapidly declining health of a loved one, the last thing they want to contend with is extensive paperwork, numerous rules and regulations and worrying about how they will be able to pay for the care their loved one so desperately needs.
Why not speak to a knowledgeable insurance agent today regarding how to go about obtaining this valuable coverage? It certainly pays to be prepared prior to a calamity than be to find oneself ineligible in the midst of disaster. It is said that “if you have your health you have everything.” Yes, including the ability to qualify for long term care insurance! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying for this invaluable coverage today.
