Preserving Family History for the Next Generation - Keep Your Family History Alive

Genetics connects humans to each other, but common ancestors, our family, share unique connections and relationships. Collecting family history and preserving it is a project that can be rewarding and beneficial.

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Preserving Family History for the Next Generation - Keep Your Family History Alive
3 Min Read May 9th, 2022

America is known as a melting pot. In addition to the native population, which migrated from elsewhere themselves, people trace their ancestry to all corners of the globe. Be it from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and other points around the earth; we have shared heritage in addition to our family's shared moments as Americans.

Your family's history is important, especially for generations to come. It provides a meaningful connection to your ancestors. It's an intricate mosaic of love stories, a tale of survival and resilience, and an account of all your family has contributed to the world. For the generations that follow, it gives them a glimpse into what their ancestors were really like. For you, it connects you to your past. There are many ways to preserve your family history for the next generation, the good, the bad, and even the ugly.

Connect With Your Heritage

The first step in preserving your family history is to be intentional about fully connecting to your heritage. Suppose you don't have a complete understanding of where your ancestors originated. How can you accurately represent or account for your family's history for future generations to understand?

For example, perhaps you are a descendant of Vikings whose culture is reminiscent of the foods you eat and the traditions your family upholds today. To keep the heritage alive, you should learn how to connect with your Viking heritage to deepen a part of your identity and pass on your knowledge to the generations to come.

Heritage is a fundamental part of your family history. Attempting to preserve all these facts, like where you grew up and how you lived, will benefit family members in the future and give you a sense of who you are today. 

Create a record of the practices and traditions you've kept. Document the clothes and accessories essential to your heritage through pictures and videos for years to come. Consider creating a recipe book for the traditional foods that your family enjoys. Be sure to note occupations, education, and the achievements of family members.

Create a Family Tree

A family tree is a visual representation of your family's history. This project may require extensive research and time to reach out to family members. Still, it allows the next generation to look at the ancestors who have led them to where they are.

Keeping an account of a family tree is an easy way to preserve your family history. When you keep the name alive, you keep the memory alive.

Record Important Events

Keeping a record of important events is another easy way to preserve your family history. Start by finding a notebook to stay organized. Date every entry and record an account for important events and occasions. This record will provide an immersive insight into your day-to-day life for future generations to read.

You can opt for diary entries or record important events as they happen. Scrapbooking is also a fun way to document your history visually.

Preserving your family history doesn't have to be complicated. The next generation will be thankful to have a wealth of knowledge available to them due to your efforts in keeping the family's history alive. Keeping or creating a record can even be a project to take on as you near retirement.

Medical History - Knowledge is Power

All too often, families are unaware of the medical history of loved ones. At one time, it was thought of as no one else's business. In some cases, people were embarrassed about their health history. Today we know that certain health problems run in families. Knowing in advance that you may have this problem can benefit other family members years and decades into the future.

While genetics plays a role in your health and those related to you today and the future, health history is more than just heredity. Family members tend to share common habits, live in the same area of the country, and share other traits, leading to similar illnesses - Start Collecting Family Health History Info Now | LTC News.

We are all connected, but families share unique connections that continue perpetuity. If you have not had the chance to start collecting historical information on your family, start the process and solicit help from loved ones of all ages. Not only will you find this rewarding, but your ancestors in the future will also thank you in the decades ahead.   

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About the Author

Mallory Knee is a freelance writer for multiple online publications where she can showcase her affinity for all things beauty and fashion. She particularly enjoys writing for communities of passionate women who come together for a shared interest and empower one another in the process. In her free time, you can find Mallory trying a fun new dinner recipe, practicing calligraphy, or hanging out with her family.

LTC News Contributor Mallory Knee

Mallory Knee

Contributor since September 25th, 2020

Editor's Note

The consequences of aging and declining health is a family problem that affects multiple generations. Ignoring the problem impacts family and finances. 

A complete retirement plan should include a strategy for longevity and the impact that long-term health care will have on you, your family, your income, savings, lifestyle, and legacy - including the consequences of dementia. 

Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance gives you access to your choice of quality care either at home or in a facility. Professional long-term health care services are costly and get more expensive every year. But don't forget that informal family caregivers face many demands and place an incredible amount of stress and burden on them, especially when no planning had been done beforehand.

Remember, Long-Term Care Insurance will pay for long-term custodial care, the most common type of care we will need. Health insurance, including Medicare and Medicare Supplements, will only pay for a small portion of skilled care. Medicaid will only pay if you have little or no savings and income.

You Must Health Qualify to Obtain Coverage

The underwriting criteria are different for each company. You will have to answer some health questions even to obtain accurate quotes. You ideally want to get coverage when you enjoy good health. If you are already receiving care in your home or living in a care facility, you would be ineligible for coverage. 

Understanding family health history is vital for the purpose of planning your future. Many insurance companies will look at some family history when underwriting Long-Term Care Insurance. 

Getting a plan in place will safeguard your income and assets, give you access to quality care services, and give your loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers. Most people obtain Long-Term Care Insurance in their 50s to take advantage of better health and lower premiums.

Seek Professional Planning Help

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:

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. 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.

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 

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