What is Long-Term Care Insurance?

As people begin to live longer, long-term careimportant to remember that in the United States,
insurance becomes more important. CareMedicaid generally does not cover care provided in
insurance helps provide for the cost of long-terma home setting, and, in most cases, Medicaid will
care which can be incredibly expensive. It is usednot cover or pay for assisted living. Because
to cover those issues that are generally notthere is this void in coverage, having long care
covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.insurance can play a huge part in what the
There is often some confusion about what thisindividual can have in terms of care related
type of insurance is used for and the people whoservices.
use it. Consumers should understand thatWith this protection, care insurance can pay for
individuals who require long care are generally nothome care, often from the first day it is needed.
sick in the way we usually think of that word.It can help pay for a live-in caregiver, companion,
Many of these individuals are healthy but theyhousekeeper, therapist or private duty nurse up
cannot perform the basic activities of daily livingto 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Assisted living
such as preparing food, eating, dressingis paid for by long care insurance. The same is
themselves, bathing, and the like. They may needtrue for adult daycare, respite care, hospice care,
assistance with their medications, as some willand more.
often forget to take them.Very important to some consumers is that this
Another issue that may confuse some people istype of care insurance can also assist with the
that this type of care does not have to be longpayments for caring for a person with Alzheimer's
term. An individual may need care for only a fewdisease or other forms of dementia.
months to recover from surgery or illness, orOne of the very best reasons for purchasing care
they may need care for years.insurance is that it helps to protect the savings of
It is generally assumed that as a person becomesthe person or persons who will be responsible for
older there will be some need for care. Inpaying the bills. Long-term care without insurance
America, Medicare will not cover the expenses ofcan wipe out a lifetime of savings in no time at all.
long-term care, but Medicaid will for those whoIt can also force individuals to liquidate many, if
can not afford to pay.not all, of their assets including homes.
Another issue that is confusing is that long-termModern technology is allowing us to live longer but
care is not restricted to the elderly. Age is notwe all need to be prepared for the days when
always a factor with long-term care. Youngerwe can no longer make it through the day
people who are not able to care for themselveswithout some help. Care insurance can be a very
have these needs as well.useful and effective way to solve that problem.
When thinking of buying this type of insurance it is