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