Planning for care later in life is essential. Long-term care insurance can help seniors who fall in the middle-range income levels to meet their care needs as they age. Elderly individuals who fall into any of the three following groups should strongly consider buying long-term care insurance.
Long-term care is necessary for middle-class seniors. The wealthy are able to fund their own private care. On the other end of the income spectrum, lower-class seniors can rely on Medicaid for help with paying for care. Among middle-class seniors, certain individuals should opt in to long-term care insurance.
1.Seniors in their 50s
Ideally, seniors in their mid-50s should start considering buying long-term care insurance. Although most claims are filed when individuals are in their 70s and 80s, the insurance premiums will spike drastically once health declines later in life and a real need for long-term care emerges.
Premiums tend to correspond with age. This means that applicants who are in their 60s will see their premiums jump six to eight percent with each subsequent birthday. These applicants will pay double for premiums in comparison to applicants in their mid-50s.
Consider the example of a 50-year-old in New Jersey who pays long-term care insurance premiums of $161.72 per month. If the same individual paid for a policy at age 70, he’d pay an average monthly premium of $370.88. Waiting too long to buy a policy leads to significantly higher premiums.
Applying at a later age for long-term care insurance could also risk rejection. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance concludes that 23 percent of applicants in their 60s are rejected, while only 14 percent of those in their 50s experience the same.
Seniors in their mid-50s may have already decided to continue to age in place. Hiring professional in-home support when it is needed can be achieved with a long-term care insurance policy. Benefits may be used to pay for assistance with bathing, grooming, transportation, meal preparation and light housekeeping.
2.Seniors with Dementia Risk
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. Anyone with a family history of dementia might eventually need long-term care. Elderly individuals with a risk for developing hereditary diseases, like dementia, should deliberate buying a long-term care insurance policy sooner rather than later.
Once a dementia diagnosis is made, the Alzheimer’s patient will not be able to apply for long-term care insurance. However, if the long-term care insurance policy is already in place, it is important to know whether or not Alzheimer’s disease is covered and when benefits may be collected.
Most policies will dispense benefits when a predefined level of cognitive or physical impairment occurs. The policy holder should also examine the type of care the long-term care insurance will cover. Examples of care include home care, assisted living and nursing home facilities.
Long-term care insurance can pay for home care for dementia patients. Memory care is a specialized form of home care wherein the caregiver is trained to provide care to dementia patients. Dementia care providers are experienced in handling the challenging circumstances that affect dementia patients.
A home environment is the preferred choice for dementia patients, due to the comfort provided by familiar surroundings and nearby family and friends. Aging in place is possible for dementia patients who utilize long-term care insurance to pay for dementia home care.
Learn more about How to Choose the Best Long-term Care Insurance for You
3.Seniors Who Lack Family Caregivers
Planning ahead means evaluating a support network. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance reports that most seniors who need long-term care have a support system of family members who are able and willing to provide care, even if it results in financial setback.
However, not all elderly individuals have access to a family circle. Seniors who are unable to rely on family caregivers should consider purchasing long-term care insurance before the age of 60. The long-term care insurance benefits can be used to pay for in-home care, for instance.
Without family members nearby, seniors with a long-term care policy in place may hire professional in-home care when the need arises. Licensed caregivers provide support with the activities of daily living, which includes help with personal hygiene, meal preparation, transportation and medication reminders.
Seniors who fall into any of the abovementioned categories should carefully evaluate their financial circumstances and consider buying long-term care insurance. Licensed home care is ideal for seniors who require additional support at home, and a long-term care insurance policy can help pay for it.
The typical long-term care insurance policy is comprehensive. This means the policy pays for a range of services, such as adult day centers, assisted living facilities and home care. Policies also cover respite care, which is a short-term form of care that home care agencies can provide.
When your elderly loved one would benefit from home care, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the most compassionate senior care in the area. We offer a wide range of flexible, nonmedical care services designed to enhance the physical and emotional well-being of seniors in our care.
Utilize long-term care insurance benefits to pay for and receive quality home care. Professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care perform care services, such as timely medication reminders, preparing balanced meals in accordance with the senior’s dietary restrictions, grocery shopping, transportation to doctor’s offices and companionship.
Our home care services meet the varying care needs of families and their aging loved ones. We offer respite care, dementia care, hospice care, post-operative care and 24-hour care. Representative from our home care agency will customize an initial care plan, which may be adjusted as care needs change.
Countless families and their senior loved ones living in or near Naperville, Illinois have full confidence in the elder care services provided by Assisting Hands Home Care. Consult our reputable home care agency for the best in senior care services.
To get started, call us at (630) 634-9316 and schedule your complimentary in-home assessment.
Sources: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/financial-legal-planning/insurance, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/052014/whats-best-time-get-longterm-care-insurance.asp,https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2019/when-to-buy-long-term-care-insurance.html