Long Term Care
Most people consider a Long Term Care (LTC) policy as a benefit to help senior citizens pay for residency at a nursing home when it is, in fact, a benefit for anyone who is in need of assistance with daily living activities. This includes people who cannot care for themselves due to physical, cognitive or chronic health issues. People who benefit from LTC range from senior citizens with crippling arthritis to children with birth defects.
While it is true that the majority of LTC participants are seniors, according to a 2009 study by the AARP, less than 25 percent of all seniors use it help pay for nursing home care. The majority utilize the benefit in an adult daycare setting or tend to remain in the comfort of their own homes, with nurse and personal care workers coming in to help them with their daily needs.
Currently, most LTC users are age 85 or older. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, this user group is going to expand exponentially. This, in turn, is going to push nursing homes to their capacity limits and increase the need for more home health care options. The younger generations who will be charged with caring for their aging parents and grandparents will also be burdened with fewer options and ever increasing costs.
The best way to address this issue is through enrollment in LTC plans, which are designed to make it easy for eligible participants to get the care they need. Not only does this lessen the burden on loved ones, who won’t have to worry about money and quality of care, but also gives the participant more options and allows them to stay in control of their lives.
What do LTC plans offer? Most are designed to help participants with daily living tasks, such as meal preparation, eating, bathing, money management, house cleaning and transportation. The tasks can be performed in a variety of settings, such as the home, assisted living or adult daycare facilities, respite, hospice or Alzheimer centers.
Depending on the age of the LTC participant, premiums paid on the product may be eligible for an income tax deduction.
Long Term Care policies are a good way to protect both yourself and your family. Remain in control and ensure that your future is secure.