The Need For Long-Term Care Insurance

It's amazing, but true. In a little over 200 years life expectancy in the United States has doubled. In frontier America only 1 in 10 people could expect to see age 65. Today almost 80% of us will live past age 65. What is really remarkable, based on trends projected by the Social Security Administration an estimated 12 million Americans alive today will bring in the NEXT century in 2100!

But as more and more Americans age, they suffer chronic disabling conditions that require long term care either at home or in a nursing home. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke and memory loss predominately cause chronic disability among those over age 50.

Many people find out the hard way that Medicare and Health insurance DO NOT cover most long term care costs. Instead those who need extended care must rely on their IRA's, 401ks and investments to pay for care and when those are reduced, turn to Medicaid.

Medicaid is the federal/state welfare program that pays for health care for the poor. Since Medicaid is an entitlement for the Nursing Facility only, choice is diminished.

What Is Long Term Care?

Long Term Care is the help needed to assist in the performance of activities of daily living. These activities include: bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, transferring/mobility and feeding. Care may also be needed to assist an individual with a severe cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer's disease). Long term care may be provided in a person's home, in adult day care, assisted living or a nursing home Long term care may be provided in a person's home, in adult day care, assisted living or a nursing home Long term care may be provided in a person's home, in adult day care, assisted living or a nursing home.

The types of care that peoplereceive fall into the category of skilled or custodial.

	Skilled care is administered by a skilled nurse or therapist.
	Custodial care is help with routine activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, transferring/mobility and feeding.

Both types of care are available 24 hours a day. The most common types is custodial care.