Do You Itch? Know the Signs of an Underlying Medical Problem
You can usually blame dry skin if you are itching all over. Maybe an allergy. However, there are serious health issues that may be behind your itch.
You can usually blame dry skin if you are itching all over. Maybe an allergy. However, ignoring skin itching could be overlooking a health issue that needs to be addressed.
Hormonal conditions, kidney disease, infections, diabetes, thyroid function, psoriasis, and cancer causes itchiness. Your itching could be from insect bites or shingles, although it is often just allergic dermatitis.
The Cleveland Clinic says dry skin is often to blame for the itch, but not always.
Aging - Skin and Itching
Just getting older can cause dry and itching skin. While this is a problem for many adults, as we get older, our skin changes. We tend to lose oil glands that help us keep our skin soft.
Some people will suffer from dry spots on their skin. Generally, you will find these dry spots on the lower leg, elbow, and lower arms.
If your itching does not resolve on its own, don't hesitate to see a doctor. If it is more than just dry skin, treating the underlining condition is essential. If your itching is just dry skin, there are many ways to treat it to give you relief, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Have You Planned for Longevity?
If you have an itch to enjoy a successful retirement, advance planning is required. Hopefully, you put money away in your employer's 401k or 403b, maybe put extra money into other savings and investments. Do you think you are prepared?
What is protecting your 401(k) from the financial costs and burdens of aging? Your body and health have changed in the past twenty years. In the next twenty-plus years there will be more changes in health, body, and mind. There is a good chance you will need long-term care services at some point, and this extended care is expensive and places a tremendous burden on your family.
The fact is the most significant risk to your future retirement savings is the need for long-term care. This is the type of care you will need when you require help with daily living activities, known as ADLs. It can also be supervision due to memory problems like Alzheimer's. The need for extended health-care is not always limited to older people. With the advances in medical science we survive health events and accidents more today than ever before. This means we are also living longer, so just aging can lead to long-term care as well.
LTC Insurance Offers Guaranteed Tax-Free Benefits
Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will safeguard your 401(k) and other assets from the financial costs and burdens that come with getting older. When you have a policy in place you will have access to your choice of quality care in your own home or in a facility.
Thinking about getting older or needing extended care may make your skin crawl, but you can reduce the stress and pressure on you and your family by having a plan ready.
Learn more about your options by using the resources on LTC NEWS. You can use the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator to see the current and future cost of care services where you live.
Plan Before Retirement and Seek Help from a Specialist
The best time to plan is before you retire when you enjoy fairly good health. Be sure to seek the help of a trusted and qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist. Most insurance agents and financial advisors are not experienced in this area.
About the Author
An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.
James Kelly
Contributor since August 21st, 2017
Editor's Note
As we get older, we will pay more attention to the weather. The time to prepare for changing health, mobility problems, memory decline, and issues related to aging start before you get older.
The consequences of long-term health care can be costly and quickly drain assets and change lifestyle and legacy. The reason is simple. With declining health, body, and mind, many people will need help with daily living activities or supervision due to dementia. Health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, will not cover these costs. The responsibility to yours.
Long-term health care costs are rising sharply, and economic uncertainty and inflation can make it much worse on your budget in the years ahead. Adult children are not qualified to provide care, and it is tough to juggle caregiving with careers and family responsibilities.
Today's Long-Term Care Insurance is affordable, safeguards savings, and eases family stress. Consider LTC Insurance has insurance for your 401(k). But remember, while long-term health care is a cash flow problem ... it is also a family problem. Planning helps with both issues.
Most people obtain coverage in their 50s when premiums are lower, and their health allows them to enjoy the most options.
Seek Professional Help Planning for Long-Term Care
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.
Long-term care is a very specialized area, and few insurance agents and financial advisors have the expertise. Find a specialist who represents the top companies as premiums can vary over 100% between insurance companies. Leading specialists will often have over 500 clients with Long-Term Care Insurance.
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.
Planning Tools and Resources Available on LTC NEWS
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.
You might have questions and LTC NEWS provides the answers for many of the most asked questions here - Frequently Asked Questions | LTC News. Find all the resources available on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.
Does Mom or Dad Need Help Now?
If your family is already in crisis and you need to find help and the right care services 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 guides -
- Finding Quality In-Home Care | LTC News
- Adult Day Care Centers (ADCCs) | LTC News
- Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities | LTC News
- Finding a Quality Nursing Home | LTC News
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 Assistance 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.
Advantages 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. Mike Banner, 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.
Share Your Knowledge - Be A Guest Contributor for LTC NEWS
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
