What Causes a Need for Long-Term Care?
A serious health condition or disability typically brings a person into long-term care. The top risk factors are the following:
- Aging – the older you are, the more likely you'll need it
- Gender – women live longer, so they're more likely to need help
- Family tree – if your family had certain health conditions, you might too
- Being single – if there's another person in the home, you're less likely to need support
- Lifestyle – obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, or tobacco use may create conditions that require long-term care
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care refers to services that help meet your needs if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from managing daily tasks independently. Care often begins in the home and may change to a facility over time as your health condition changes.
Long-term care refers to services a caregiver performs for you over time at your home or in a facility, consisting of assistance with basic daily tasks such as the following:
- Mobility
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Housekeeping
- Meal preparation
What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance is a policy you purchase before you need it to ensure you and your loved ones are cared for as you age or become disabled.
Long-term care and disability insurance are part of a prudent overall estate planning effort. Starting early in life gives you some advantages. The sooner you plan for your later years, the less long-term care insurance costs. Choosing later, you'll have a much heftier payment.
Different companies and policies offer various services, so when you purchase a private long-term care insurance policy, you will need to select one that provides the features you need. Here are a few services a policy may cover:
- Care at home
- Homemaker services
- Personal care services
- Companion services
- Emergency medical alert technology
- Long-term care in a facility