Do You Have Long-Term Care Insurance and Not Know How to Use It?
A Guide for Chicago Seniors and Families Navigating Long-Term Care Coverage

Many families spend years paying premiums for long-term care insurance (LTCI), only to discover later that they are unsure how—or when—to use the benefits.

At Assisting Hands Home Care Chicago North, we regularly meet families who have LTC policies but don’t fully understand what is covered, when benefits become available, or how to start the claims process. As Certified Long-Term Care Insurance Advocates, we help families throughout Chicago and the North Shore maximize the benefits they’ve already invested in.

The good news? Many LTC policies can help cover the cost of in-home care services, allowing seniors to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes longer.

What Is Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance is designed to help pay for services that assist individuals with daily living activities when they can no longer perform them independently.

These services may include:
• Personal care assistance
• Bathing and grooming support
• Meal preparation
• Mobility assistance
• Medication reminders
• Companion care
• Memory care support

Unlike Medicare, LTC insurance is specifically designed to help cover ongoing personal care needs.

Why Many Families Never Use Their Benefits
Surprisingly, many policyholders delay filing claims because they:
• Don’t understand their coverage
• Think they’re “not sick enough”
• Assume Medicare covers everything
• Feel overwhelmed by paperwork
• Don’t know where to begin

As a result, families often pay out-of-pocket for services that may already be covered under their policy.

Signs It May Be Time to Activate Your LTC Benefits
You may qualify for benefits if your loved one struggles with activities such as:
• Bathing
• Dressing
• Transferring safely
• Using the restroom independently
• Eating without assistance
• Managing cognitive impairments such as dementia

Many policies also provide benefits when cognitive decline impacts daily safety and independence.

Understanding the Claims Process
Every policy is different.

Some policies require:
• Physician documentation
• Care assessments
• Elimination periods
• Specific claim forms

Without guidance, families often find the process confusing and time-consuming. That’s where working with an LTC-certified advocate can make a significant difference.

How Assisting Hands Chicago North Helps
Our team goes beyond providing care.

We help families:
• Review policy benefits
• Understand coverage eligibility
• Navigate claims requirements
• Coordinate documentation
• Develop care plans that align with policy guidelines

This support helps families access available benefits sooner and avoid unnecessary delays.

Why Aging at Home Matters
Many seniors prefer to remain in the homes and communities they know and love.

For Chicago-area seniors, that often means staying close to:
• Family
• Neighbors
• Faith communities
• Familiar routines
• Local healthcare providers

Using LTC insurance to fund in-home care can help make aging in place a realistic and sustainable option.

Take the First Step Toward Understanding Your Benefits

If you or a loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, don’t wait until a crisis occurs to learn what’s covered.
Assisting Hands Chicago North can help you understand your options and create a care plan that supports independence, safety, and quality of life.

Schedule a FREE Consultation Today.

Assisting Hands Chicago North Care Consultation Page
Or call (312) 685-4174 to speak with our team about long-term care insurance guidance and personalized home care solutions.