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Deciding what kind of long-term care (LTC) coverage to purchase can be a daunting task. That’s why LTC Consumer specialists are so helpful. They’re brokerage, so they’re not tied to one carrier and one product. Currently they offer ten carriers and a variety of products with each carrier. Working with a specialist at LTC Consumer will alleviate the stress of deciding. We listen to your retirement planning concerns, and we help you find an LTC solution that works best for your situation and your family. We’ve listed some statements below that may help you decide which product best fits your needs. Continue reading
Caregiving Methods that Maintain Dignity for Dementia Patients
All too common in the news are stories of elder abuse in care facilities. Because many of the patients are suffering from various forms of Dementia, they are forgetful or often confused, and are easy targets. On the other side of the spectrum, however, are many caregivers who try various methods to help Dementia patients maintain their dignity and as much of a normal life as possible. Try some of these tactics with your own loved ones, or see that they are implemented at their care facility. Continue reading
Handy Gadget Could Help Loved Ones Stay Independent
There are moments in a family’s story that suddenly change the caregiving journey of everyone involved. You know these moments; heart attacks, falls, car accidents, etc. You may have even experienced the panicked phone calls, family group texts, and reactionary plans made soon thereafter. My grandmother fell the other day and was unable to get up. And in the days that followed my family realized she wasn’t quite as independent as we all thought, and we needed to take further steps to ensure her safety moving forward. In my grandmother’s case she has not purchased long-term care insurance, is not yet eligible for Medicaid, and finances are soon to be an issue. Continue reading
Celebrate Healthy Aging Month this September
When the baby boomers first started turning 50 there was an extremely negative attitude about getting older. People didn’t want to talk about it or even think about it. So Healthy Aging Month was created for the month of September as a way for people to have a more positive outlook about growing older. The month is meant as a way for older people to reevaluate and reinvent. Here are a few ways you can participate and benefit. Continue reading
How to Utilize your LTC Policy & Understand ADLs
One of the more common questions our specialists often get asked is, once someone purchases a long-term care (LTC) policy, when do they get to use the benefits – when can they go on claim? The answer to that is usually either as soon as they are unable to perform two of six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or if they are diagnosed with a cognitive impairment. Then of course they get the follow-up question of, what are ADLs? Continue reading
5 Hardships You May Not Expect as a Caregiver
Many baby boomers are at the point in their lives where their children have moved out, and their parents are moving in. Maybe one parent died, maybe Mom never purchased a long-term care policy and is beginning to need help with day-to-day tasks, or maybe Dad is starting to be forgetful. Whatever your family’s current situation is as a caregiver, know that you are not alone. There are many hardships people usually expect when becoming a caretaker for a loved one, such as helping with dressing, doling out medications or adding grab bars to the shower. There are equally as many hardships people do not expect, and LTC Consumer has compiled five of those items here. Continue reading
Keeping Seniors Safe in Hot Weather
‘Tis the season for dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. And while much of the country has air conditioning these days, many places do not. It’s especially important to keep an eye on the seniors in your life, as they are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Older adults have a higher tendency to be dehydrated, their bodies take longer to adjust to changes in the temperature, and they may be on prescriptions that also prevent their bodies from regulating properly. Here are some tips to keep the vulnerable seniors in your life a little more comfortable. Continue reading
LTC Insurance Eases Caregiver Financial Strain
Providing care for a loved one is a difficult emotional journey. However, it’s also a huge financial burden. Not just for the caretaker, but also for their employers. Take a look at this week’s LTC Caregiving Trends 2019 Infographic and see the staggering numbers for yourself. You will be amazed at the true cost of care.
6 ways to Reduce the Risk of Dementia
The thought of getting Dementia when we’re older is terrifying. Often people make themselves feel better with the age-old thought, “It’ll never happen to me.” The truth is that after the age of 60 about 5% of people have Dementia, and by the age of 85 the percentage jumps between 25-50%. The good news is that, despite hereditary genetic predisposition, there are many things we can do to help our odds out. Continue reading
Personal Story: How Long-Term Care Insurance Changes Caregiving
Nathan Sanow is the Executive Director of LTC Consumer. He, like many of us, has a personal story that involves a long-term care experience.
“According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 52% of Americans will require professional long-term care services in their lifetime.” Having worked in the insurance industry for nearly 20 years I know the stats and have heard the stories of people on both sides who did and did not have coverage. But nothing prepares you for when it happens to your family.
