Adult Caregivers Undertrained and Overwhelmed
Longevity means more American families have to address a loved one with long-term care. Often, with no advance plan, a daughter becomes a caregiver. This creates a family crisis.
As more people are getting older in the United States, the amount of people needing long-term care services continues to increase. However, many people ignore long-term care and fail to plan for the financial costs and burdens of aging. They avoid or delay the decision, so they end up doing nothing. The final result means the family goes into crisis mode. The lack of planning often forces many untrained family members into a caregiving role they did not expect or plan for.
A recent poll indicates that these adult caregivers have very little training adding to the tremendous stress they face dealing with their role as a caregiver. Remember, a family caregiver is usually in addition to their own career and family responsibilities.
Caregiving is Hard
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey finds that caregivers don't just drive people to the doctor and help them with shopping. Nearly half provide medical care, from changing bandages (30 percent) to inserting catheters or feeding tubes (6 percent). This care is in addition to assisting with the person's activities of daily living or supervision due to memory issues.
Only 47 percent of those say they got most or all of the training needed for their often delicate tasks. The lack of training is not good for the person receiving the care and adds to the stress of the family caregiver.
Nearly half of caregivers say it's moderately or very difficult to balance work and caregiving. Men are more likely to report that their employers are not at all supportive.
Read the full story on the poll.
The consequences of long-term care impact everyone. These consequences are why many financial specialists recommend an advance plan, so a family's future retirement savings are protected.
Long-Term Care Insurance Protects Savings and Provides Access to Quality Care
Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will safeguard your 401(k), IRA, 403(b) and other assets while reducing the burden placed on family members. It also provides the tax-free resources to provide access to your choice of quality care either at home or in a facility.
The poll suggests people like being involved with an elder adult's care; however a Long-Term Care policy would provide resources for quality care, thus giving the family time to be family. Family members won't be burdened with the full responsibility for the care itself.
Some people think these insurance policies are expensive. The fact is if you purchase a plan before you retire Long-Term Care Insurance can be very affordable.
Planning for the financial costs and burdens of aging is an essential part of your overall retirement plan. But remember, Long-Term Care Insurance is more than just asset protection. It is about family. It is about avoiding dependence on others and maintaining your control.
Plan Before You Retire
Start your research, ideally in your 40s or 50s, when you can enjoy low premiums and take advantage of good health discounts. LTC NEWS provides you with many tools to help your research. Start your long-term care research.
Premiums can vary, sometimes by more than 100% for the same coverage. An experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist can match you with the right plan so you can save money. Find a trusted and qualified specialist.
About the Author
An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.
James Kelly
Contributor since August 21st, 2017
Editor's Note
Most of us want to remain independent for as long as possible, yet we experience declines in our health, body, and mind as we get older. We become dependent on others whether we like it or not.
We can avoid placing this burden on our family by preparing for the costs and burdens of aging. Long-Term Care Insurance gives us the resources to avert complete dependency. An LTC policy gives us access to our choice of quality care options, including care at home. Our loved ones will have the time to be family instead of caregivers. We get the opportunity to stay at home. Plus, our assets are protected from the high costs of long-term health care.
Most people obtain coverage in their 50s. Every insurance company has its own underwriting rules. Be sure you share all your health information with a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist who works with the top companies so they can find you the best coverage at the best value.
Get Expert Assistance in Planning
Long-term care is a very specialized area, and few insurance agents and financial advisors have the expertise. Seek the help of a specialist who represents the top companies.
Experts recommend seeking the help of a qualified and experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you find the right coverage. A specialist will match your age, health, and family history with the right coverage at the right price.
Top specialists will often have over 500 clients with Long-Term Care Insurance, some in the thousands. This experience is necessary as every company has its own underwriting criteria. Plus, premiums can vary over 100% between insurance companies.
A specialist will save you money, and you will have peace of mind knowing they are making the appropriate recommendations - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.
LTC NEWS Offers Many Planning Tools and Resources
Planning for the future is never easy, but long-term health care planning can be very complicated and comes with many emotions. Getting the right tools and resources will make the process much easier.
One of the goals is to reduce the stress and anxiety usually placed on your family at the time of crisis. LTC NEWS can be beneficial in providing you with important information for you to consider.
LTC NEWS has put in place several resources, including:
-
The LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator will show you the current and future cost of long-term health care services where you live. Plus, each state has vital state-specific information you should know - Cost of Care Calculator - Choose Your State | LTC News
-
The Ultimate Long-Term Care Guide is an outstanding read to help you get a good overview of the topic area.
-
Compare the major insurance companies that offer Long-Term Care Insurance products here - Top Insurers for Long-Term Care Insurance | LTC News.
-
A detailed tax guide that includes available tax incentives can be found by reviewing the Long-Term Care Tax Benefits Guide.
Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.
Finding Quality Care for Mom or Dad
If your family is already in crisis and you need to find help for mom or dad, LTC NEWS can help. We have put together several comprehensive guides to help you in your process.
Start by reading our four guides -
If your loved one is lucky enough to own a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, be sure they use it. Sometimes families wait, thinking they can save the benefits for a rainy day. Waiting on using available Long-Term Care Insurance benefits is not a wise idea.
Get Help in Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim
Many insurance companies have issued Long-Term Care Insurance policies over the years. Filing a claim can sometimes be complicated unless you know what to do or get expert help and assistance.
Don't allow the claim process to stop you from using the benefits available in an LTC policy. Quality care obtained early will help provide a better quality of life and reduce the risk of a deep decline and facility care.
If you need help in starting the process of a Long-Term Care Insurance claim, LTC NEWS can help. LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you, or a loved one complete the claims process with a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. We have teamed up with Amada Senior Care, who will do all the work - free with no obligation.
Get help finding quality caregivers or long-term care facilities and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News.
Benefits of Reverse Mortgages
Today's reverse mortgages for those aged 62 and older could be an ideal resource to fund a Long-Term Care Insurance policy OR even provide money to pay for care if you, or a loved one, already needs help and assistance. You might be eligible at younger ages as well.
Some people have much of their savings invested in their homes. With today's reverse mortgages, you can find ways to fund care solutions, care itself, and even help with cash flow during your retirement.
Learn more by asking questions to an expert. LTC NEWS columnist and host of the TV Show "62 Who Knew" will answer your questions regarding caregiving, aging, health, retirement planning, long-term care, and reverse mortgages.
- Just "Ask Mike." - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.
Be A Guest Contributor for LTC NEWS - Share Your Knowledge
LTC NEWS is open to contributors to share their stories with the world.
You can write a story or ongoing column for LTC NEWS. You can write about many topics, including aging, caregiving, health, lifestyle, retirement planning, and long-term care, to name a few.
Be sure to write for our core target audience of adults aged 40 and older. Our audience is worldwide; however, our primary target is the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other English-speaking nations.
Improve your website or blog's SEO and gain exposure and traffic at the same time by being a contributor to LTC NEWS.
You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. However, it must have editorial content exclusive to LTC NEWS and not just an advertisement. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media.
Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com - LTC News Contributors | LTC News
LTC NEWS - Your Marketing and Advertising Partner
Use LTC NEWS to drive traffic to your website and help you attract people interested in your products and services. Plus, you can improve your website's SEO so more consumers can find you when they search for your products and services.
There are various marketing options available with LTC NEWS. Traditional advertising, sponsored content articles, strategic alliances, and more are available.
Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.
Shared Links
LTC NEWS offers a 'helpful links' page so readers looking for additional information can find them easily. You can get a dofollow link to your website on LTC NEWS in exchange for a dofollow link on your site.
Let's work together and help consumers who search for us on the web - Site Request | LTC News.
You can also affordably purchase a dofollow link to your website or blog on LTC NEWS. Just contact the advertising department.
Sharing News with LTC NEWS
Include LTC NEWS in your press release distribution. If your group, organization, business, political committee, etc., have news to share, send it to LTC NEWS. Email - newsroom@ltcnews.com
