David HaynesDavid Haynes, CLTC, is an independent insurance broker specializing in long-term care insurance planning. Contact David at 336-314-1698 or david@haynesltc.com.
Celebrating our traditions of summer with cookouts, vacations and long nights gives us a joy of grateful fortune, an outlook of success, a bright future, and happiness in the days ahead. Many are not able to enjoy these celebrations due to some of the realities of life that are not so pleasurable. We’ve always been told by our elders, not to take life for granted. Respect and enjoy the freedoms given to us. If we plan for our tomorrows, that often involves insurance that help us manage events that could otherwise have catastrophic financial consequences.
This article is specifically about Extended Care Planning, also called Long Term Care Planning, a piece of the financial pie that most of us need to address but not sure why or when. As we age, our bodies begin to require certain assistance for us to function. Long term care is assistance provided because of the inability to perform activities of daily living due to an illness, injury or progressive or sudden cognitive impairment. We often think of long term care as a nursing home. That is only a small part of it. You expect to live a long and happy, healthy life. An event that may occur to disrupt your future plans regardless of age is not something that most of us will admit. If you have personally experienced a care event with a family member, you have an understanding of some of the freedoms taken away and know exactly what I’m talking about.
With age comes issues. The statistics are alarming about needing care either at home or in a facility setting. With that event, comes a cost that most people are often not prepared for. The best source of dollars is an insurance policy that will protect your nest egg. Most of my clients decide on a long term care policy – because of those they love.
If you are over age 50, you may be experiencing an event with a loved one now and realizing the cost of care and limited funds to pay for that care. Don’t let this happen to you. Obtain a plan now to secure it’s protection later. It may not occur at all or occur years from now but the wise thing to do is to prepare yourself for the unknown. The dollars from a long term care policy helps your family manage your care and provide options that otherwise might not exist. It is simply an expression of love to your family.
People often tell me, “I heard that a long term care policy is expensive.” I answer asking “who told you that?”
If you’ve read to this point and are wondering if a long term care insurance plan is something to consider, then it probably is. Having a simple discussion with me may be your best option to further understand to obtain a solution. When it comes to long term care … “Don’t Hope for the Best, Plan for it.”