Continuing Care at Home Programs Allow You to Maintain Control
More people today understand the need to plan for the financial costs and burdens of aging. A new concept allows for in-home care and aging in place as you protect savings and ease family stress.
In the midst of this global pandemic, adults who are 50 and older may consider or reconsider how they will plan for the financial costs and burdens of aging.
The majority of people want to remain in their own homes and maintain control of their lives and future health care decisions; however, there needs to be a plan in place to be successful in that journey.
Several Options to Consider
There are several options people consider, often before they retire as part of their over-all retirement planning. As you begin your research you will find options that include:
- Life Plan Communities or Continuing Care Retirement Communities
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Hybrid Life/LTC Insurance
- Annuity/LTC Insurance
- 55+ Residential Communities
One option to be aware of is the concept of Continuing Care at Home (CCaH).
Aging in Place Popular Option
CCaH programs are for independent adults who want to age in place, preserve assets, and maintain autonomy and agency through life. It offers a financial component similar to Long-Term Care Insurance but offers proactive wellness coordination that sets itself apart from other products on the market.
Most programs are associated with a brick and mortar Life Plan Community allowing CCaH members to utilize services and amenities on the campus. Programs also have separate events and programming for members to provide engagement and socialization.
This model started in the early 1990s with the program Friends Life Care in the Philadelphia area. Today, 31 programs operate across the country and serve over 5,000 older adults and growing. Programs are in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Iowa, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, Arizona, and Hawaii.
COVID-19 Means CCaH Even More Desirable
With the circumstances of COVID-19 and the desire for more adults to age in place, there will probably be an increase in programs and more states added to this list in the future. These programs are nonprofit and share a common mission of serving older adults and increasing quality of life.
CCaH programs usually offer various plan options and can often work with existing Long-Term Care Insurance policies and offer more comprehensive coverage. Most plans have a one-time membership fee and an ongoing monthly fee that has some tax deductibility. Proactive wellness coordination remains a key component of the CCaH program.
Recent benchmarking of about 13 programs from across the country has shown only 1% of members making a permanent transition into skilled nursing homes. The data also showed a drastic reduction in hospital readmission at only 5% compared to an average Medicare recipient rate of 16%.
Some of the services often provided include care coordination, home safety inspection, transportation services, in-home skilled and semi-skilled services, companion/homemaker services, emergency response services, and wellness and social programs.
These programs allow older adults to remain in control of their future and help them secure financial assets even as the cost of care continues to increase. Check with your local nonprofit Life Plan Community to see if they offer a CCaH option.
About the Author
Amanda Young is the Senior Director of Independent Living at Franke at Seaside and the Director of BeWell@Home, South Carolina’s first and only continuing care at home program. Ms. Young is doctoral candidate in Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago with research focuses on aging in place and proactive health and wellness initiatives. She holds an M.S. in Gerontology from McDaniel College and has been working in aging services for the past 15 years.
Amanda Young
Contributor since January 5th, 2021
Editor's Note
Family members are often left with the role of being a caregiver or managing paid care services. When no advance plan has been put in place, the family finds themselves in crisis management. Caregiving is hard, and paid care services are expensive.
Have you thought about how you would address the costs and burdens of aging when facing this problem yourself in the decades ahead? The time to plan is before you retire - ideally in your 40s or 50s. For many American families, affordable Long-Term Care Insurance gives you the guaranteed tax-free benefits to pay for your choice of quality care either in-home or in a facility.
Planning Tools and Resources on LTC NEWS
You can find many tools and resources on LTC NEWS to assist you in your research for a planning solution or help your family find the appropriate care for a loved one at the time of crisis.
To help you plan the costs and burdens of changing health and aging, 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.
Seek Professional Guidance
Insurance rates are regulated, so no insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor can give you special deals. However, premiums vary over 100% between insurance companies for the same coverage.
Experts suggest using a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options available to you and your family.
A specialist who works with the top companies can match your age, health, family history, and other factors and find you the best coverage at the best value. 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.
Advertising and Marketing Opportunities on LTC NEWS
LTC NEWS offers unique ways to reach the people you want to reach. Your message will reach two groups - those who are planning for their future retirement and those seeking information in a crisis situation with an older family member.
Many marketing opportunities are available, including sponsored content articles. Sponsored content offers you a long-form way to sell yourself, your company, and your ideas.
Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business - click here.
Be Published on LTC NEWS
LTC NEWS offers many resources to help families address the consequences of long-term care, aging, health, caregiving, and other retirement issues. You can be part of the effort to help educate consumers throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Write a story for publication on LTC NEWS and let America hear what you have to say. Be sure your article fits the LTC NEWS target audience of adults 40-70.
Topics can include stories on:
- Aging
- Caregiving
- Health
- Long-Term Care
- Retirement Planning
There are numerous other related topics, as well. You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. It must have editorial content exclusive for LTC NEWS and cannot be 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 or click here.
Get Expert Help Filing an LTC Insurance Claim
LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you or a loved one complete the claims process with your Long-Term Care Insurance policy.
You can also get support in finding quality caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not. - 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.
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, 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.
