NavStar Currents

The Final Option

In previous posts (Funding Long-Term Care ) we have been discussing the ways to pay for extensive palliative care...i.e. that is, when the patient is no longer improving, but is slowly declining, and is losing functionality, such as the ability to feed one's self, to use the toilet, bathing, etc. These things in themselves are not immediately life threatening, as long as assistance is provided by someone else. This level of care is quite expensive, but the bills must be paid in order for the care to continue. There are three ways to pay for this type of care:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Self funding

3. Government assistance (Medicaid)

In the past two posts we've considered options 1 and 2. Both of these alternatives require some level of available funds, either in the ability to afford LTC insurance premiums, or to shoulder the costs yourself.

The third option is the last-resort scenario; the use of government assistance in the form of Medicaid.

An Offensive Proposition!

A number of years ago I was working with a gentleman in setting up a plan for his long-term care. The plan included a comprehensive LTC policy that would cover his expenses no matter where the care was received, either at home or in an institution. One of my suggestions is to always talk this over with your family before making such a purchase, if for no other reason than to let the kids know that you have the coverage.

Well, in this particular case, when the Dad told his son what he was doing, the young man threw a fit. The client contacted me and said that he needed to cancel the coverage. His words to me were, "my son was really upset that I had gotten that policy. He told me to get rid of it.....that HE would take care of me!" In they eyes of this fellow, the purchase of insurance implied that he wasn't willing to take care of his Dad. Of course that's ridiculous. LTC insurance isn't meant to replace the family as caregivers, it's to help them do a better job of caregiving, and for a longer period of time.

Being a full-time caregiver is very demanding, and you may not be healthy enough yourself to do it. When that happens, outside caregivers will have to be acquired, which can be very expensive. As I mentioned in a previous post ( see LTC Funding Options )  when it comes to paying for palliative care there are basically three options:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Self funding

3. Government assistance (Medicaid)

In this post we'll look at number two: self funding.

Are you a reasonable person?

What a question, huh? Of course you are!

Why would I even ask such a question of a reader? "After all, isn't the fact that I faithfully read this blog, and am nearly physically ill when I miss one, proof enough that I'm a reasonable person?", you might say. Point taken.

Well then, this blog is for you! The subject is your family....or more specifically, your family and how your need for long term care might affect them, and their lifestyle. Is that important to you?

If so, read on.

An Offensive Proposition!

A number of years ago I was working with a gentleman in setting up a plan for his long-term care. The plan included a comprehensive LTC policy that would cover his expenses no matter where the care was received, either at home or in an institution. One of my suggestions is to always talk this over with your family before making such a purchase, if for no other reason than to let the kids know that you have the coverage.

Well, in this particular case, when the Dad told his son what he was doing, the young man threw a fit. The client contacted me and said that he needed to cancel the coverage. His words to me were, "my son was really upset that I had gotten that policy. He told me to get rid of it.....that HE would take care of me!" In they eyes of this fellow, the purchase of insurance implied that he wasn't willing to take care of his Dad. Of course that's ridiculous. LTC insurance isn't meant to replace the family as caregivers, it's to help them do a better job of caregiving, and for a longer period of time.

Being a full-time caregiver is very demanding, and you may not be healthy enough yourself to do it. When that happens, outside caregivers will have to be acquired, which can be very expensive. As I mentioned in a previous post ( see LTC Funding Options )  when it comes to paying for palliative care there are basically three options:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Self funding

3. Government assistance (Medicaid)

In this post we'll look at number two: self funding.

In the blink of an eye

David and his wife Shirley were enjoying their lives together. They'd been married for 53 years, had 3 children and 6 grandchildren, and were active in their church and community. Life was very good, and they had both been blessed beyond measure.

One evening as they were watching TV David noticed that his wife got up to go to the restroom. This wasn't unusual, but something was different this time. She returned, having not found the bathroom, and she seemed quite disoriented. David asked her what was wrong, and what happened next frightened him terribly. When she answered him it came out as gibberish. She couldn't speak! He also noticed that she had wet herself, and the frightened look on her face told him that she too, knew that something was wrong. As quickly as he could he dialed 911.

The prognosis wasn't good. Shirley had had a stroke, which left her unable to walk, there was no mobility of any kind on her left side, there were some cognitive issues, and she couldn't communicate. After several days in the hospital, and two weeks in a rehab unit, he took his beloved wife home.

But his normal life was gone. At first David tried as best he could to take care of her, but his strength and stamina were not up to the task. His children flew in to help, but after a couple of weeks they all had to return home, which wasn't near their parents. He was exhausted, discouraged, and depressed.

What could David do?

He began to bring in home health caregivers. They cost $20 an hour and Shirley needed care around the clock. He was able to keep this up for almost a year, but eventually David knew he'd have to turn Shirley over to someone who could really take care of her. She would have to go to an institution.

In just a few short minutes that night, everything had changed for David and Shirley. Their financial picture had changed too, and not for the better. David was truly worried now about running out of money. * 

The Final Option

In previous posts (Funding Long-Term Care ) we have been discussing the ways to pay for extensive palliative care...i.e. that is, when the patient is no longer improving, but is slowly declining, and is losing functionality, such as the ability to feed one's self, to use the toilet, bathing, etc. These things in themselves are not immediately life threatening, as long as assistance is provided by someone else. This level of care is quite expensive, but the bills must be paid in order for the care to continue. There are three ways to pay for this type of care:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Self funding

3. Government assistance (Medicaid)

In the past two posts we've considered options 1 and 2. Both of these alternatives require some level of available funds, either in the ability to afford LTC insurance premiums, or to shoulder the costs yourself.

The third option is the last-resort scenario; the use of government assistance in the form of Medicaid.

Are you a reasonable person?

What a question, huh? Of course you are!

Why would I even ask such a question of a reader? "After all, isn't the fact that I faithfully read this blog, and am nearly physically ill when I miss one, proof enough that I'm a reasonable person?", you might say. Point taken.

Well then, this blog is for you! The subject is your family....or more specifically, your family and how your need for long term care might affect them, and their lifestyle. Is that important to you?

If so, read on.

An Offensive Proposition!

A number of years ago I was working with a gentleman in setting up a plan for his long-term care. The plan included a comprehensive LTC policy that would cover his expenses no matter where the care was received, either at home or in an institution. One of my suggestions is to always talk this over with your family before making such a purchase, if for no other reason than to let the kids know that you have the coverage.

Well, in this particular case, when the Dad told his son what he was doing, the young man threw a fit. The client contacted me and said that he needed to cancel the coverage. His words to me were, "my son was really upset that I had gotten that policy. He told me to get rid of it.....that HE would take care of me!" In they eyes of this fellow, the purchase of insurance implied that he wasn't willing to take care of his Dad. Of course that's ridiculous. LTC insurance isn't meant to replace the family as caregivers, it's to help them do a better job of caregiving, and for a longer period of time.

Being a full-time caregiver is very demanding, and you may not be healthy enough yourself to do it. When that happens, outside caregivers will have to be acquired, which can be very expensive. As I mentioned in a previous post ( see LTC Funding Options )  when it comes to paying for palliative care there are basically three options:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Self funding

3. Government assistance (Medicaid)

In this post we'll look at number two: self funding.

In the blink of an eye

David and his wife Shirley were enjoying their lives together. They'd been married for 53 years, had 3 children and 6 grandchildren, and were active in their church and community. Life was very good, and they had both been blessed beyond measure.

One evening as they were watching TV David noticed that his wife got up to go to the restroom. This wasn't unusual, but something was different this time. She returned, having not found the bathroom, and she seemed quite disoriented. David asked her what was wrong, and what happened next frightened him terribly. When she answered him it came out as gibberish. She couldn't speak! He also noticed that she had wet herself, and the frightened look on her face told him that she too, knew that something was wrong. As quickly as he could he dialed 911.

The prognosis wasn't good. Shirley had had a stroke, which left her unable to walk, there was no mobility of any kind on her left side, there were some cognitive issues, and she couldn't communicate. After several days in the hospital, and two weeks in a rehab unit, he took his beloved wife home.

But his normal life was gone. At first David tried as best he could to take care of her, but his strength and stamina were not up to the task. His children flew in to help, but after a couple of weeks they all had to return home, which wasn't near their parents. He was exhausted, discouraged, and depressed.

What could David do?

He began to bring in home health caregivers. They cost $20 an hour and Shirley needed care around the clock. He was able to keep this up for almost a year, but eventually David knew he'd have to turn Shirley over to someone who could really take care of her. She would have to go to an institution.

In just a few short minutes that night, everything had changed for David and Shirley. Their financial picture had changed too, and not for the better. David was truly worried now about running out of money. * 

The Final Option

In previous posts (Funding Long-Term Care ) we have been discussing the ways to pay for extensive palliative care...i.e. that is, when the patient is no longer improving, but is slowly declining, and is losing functionality, such as the ability to feed one's self, to use the toilet, bathing, etc. These things in themselves are not immediately life threatening, as long as assistance is provided by someone else. This level of care is quite expensive, but the bills must be paid in order for the care to continue. There are three ways to pay for this type of care:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Self funding

3. Government assistance (Medicaid)

In the past two posts we've considered options 1 and 2. Both of these alternatives require some level of available funds, either in the ability to afford LTC insurance premiums, or to shoulder the costs yourself.

The third option is the last-resort scenario; the use of government assistance in the form of Medicaid.