Strokes – Leading Cause of Long-Term Care
Few people are immune from having a stroke or a TIA (transient ischemic attack). Strokes often lead to needing help with daily living activities or supervision from memory loss. If it happens, would you be prepared?
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. People of all ages and backgrounds can have a stroke. You probably know someone who has had a stroke, and you certainly know of celebrities that have suffered from a stroke.
You probably know some of the names like Randy Travis, Sharon Stone, Marla Gibbs, Frankie Muniz, and Larry King. Others like Bruce Willis and Mark McEwen have suffered from Aphasia, usually caused by a stroke.
Many people die from strokes, like Luke Perry, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Della Reese, and Bill Paxton. Several former U.S. presidents, Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford, died from strokes.
Strokes are Getting Common
Each year, about 795,000 people in the United States have strokes. About 137,000 people die from the stroke. Around 185,000 people who survive a stroke will have another stroke within 5 years.
The National Stroke Association says strokes are one of the leading causes of long-term adult disability. Many of these people who suffer from a stroke will need long-term nursing home care. In contrast, others may be able to stay in their own homes with in-care or receive care in an assisted living facility. Still, others may fully recover, although they are at risk for a second more severe stroke.
Many stroke victims will develop memory problems, whether it be mild cognitive impairment, short-term memory loss, or Aphasia. Memory loss due to a stroke is often called vascular dementia.
The good news is that strokes can be treated. With good health habits and regular check-ups, stroke victims can reduce their chance of having a second stroke.
Stroke Signs and Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic says to watch for these signs and symptoms for you and those you love:
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Trouble with speaking and understanding. The person may experience confusion, slurring words, or difficulty understanding speech.
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Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg. Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the person's face, arm, or leg may occur, especially on one side of the body. The potential stroke victim should try to raise both arms over their head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, the person may be having a stroke. Similarly, if one side of the mouth droops when attempting to smile, it may be a sign of a stroke.
Other signs to watch for:
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Vision loss or double vision in one or both eyes
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Sudden severe headache
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Problems walking, severe dizziness, or sudden loss of coordination.
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Altered consciousness
Strokes are About Interruption of Blood Supply
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause brain cells to die.
There are several causes of a stroke. These causes include a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to their brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).
Learn about the types of strokes and the risk factors from the Mayo Clinic.
Recovery from a Stroke
Recovery time from a stroke, according to Northwestern Medicine, may take weeks, months, or even years. Some patients may have lifelong disabilities, while others may recover completely. For all patients, the stroke recovery process involves making lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes can help to prevent additional strokes and facilitate lifelong recovery.
Recovery Facts
Statistics show that following stroke:
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10 percent of patients recover almost completely
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25 percent of patients recover with only minor impairments
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40 percent of patients experience moderate-to-severe impairments that require special care
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10 percent of patients require long-term care
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15 percent of patients die shortly after
Stroke victims often experience an immediate deterioration in their ability to think and reason. This memory loss usually will require the person to need supervision in a memory care facility, assisted living facility, or nursing home, even if there are few physical problems caused by the stroke.
Long-Term Health Care and Rehab Costs are Rising
The cost of long-term health care and ongoing rehabilitation is expensive. Health insurance, including Medicare (and supplement), will pay for skilled services like rehab for 100 days. Custodial care (help with daily living activities and/or supervision due to memory loss is not covered at all unless you have a Long-Term Care Insurance policy or qualify for Medicaid.
Medicaid will pay for long-term health care when an individual has little or no income and assets.
Strokes are just another issue that comes with aging. Younger people are suffering from strokes than ever before. While strokes and TIA's occur at all ages, the risk increases with age.
We experience a decline in our health as we get older. With aging comes mobility problems, dementia, and even frailty. You can only purchase Long-Term Care Insurance when you are in fairly good health. In other words, you can't purchase a policy right after having a stroke.
LTC Insurance Helps with Quality Care
Since long-term health care is expensive, no matter the reason you need care, preparing for the ongoing costs and burdens of aging is vital to retirement planning. Long-Term Care Insurance provides the policyholder with guaranteed tax-free benefits, giving them access to a choice of quality care services, including in-home care.
When you are talking about expenses that can average $4000 or more a month today, you can imagine what the cost of long-term health care will be in the decades ahead. When you own an LTC Insurance policy, you have a solution to mitigate some of the risks in order to maintain your lifestyle and legacy.
The other thing to consider when thinking about the consequences of declining health and aging is the impact on your family. Many families find themselves in a crisis when a loved one needs long-term health care. The policy will allow your loved ones to have the time to be family instead of caregivers.
Aging Happens - Health Changes
Health changes often without warning. The need for long-term health care increases as you get older, although it happens to younger people as well. Most people obtain coverage in their 50s when premiums are lower, and they are still in good health.
Some people think something will never happen to them. Yet, ask Bruce Willis's family, for example. Changes in health and long-term care do not discriminate. Being prepared to ease family stress and protect your income and assets from the growing costs of long-term care services.
About the Author
An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.
James Kelly
Contributor since August 21st, 2017
Editor's Note
Don't wait too long and discover you have few choices when dealing with the growing costs of future long-term health care. Long-Term Care Insurance will provide the guaranteed tax-free benefits to pay for quality care options you want, including in-home care. There are federal and state tax benefits, although some states are considering taxing people on earned income if they do not own an LTC policy.
Take action now to safeguard income and assets and ease family stress. There are many options to choose from; one will fit your budget. Don't delay; LTC Insurance is medically underwritten and priced, in part, by age when you obtain coverage.
In the states considering adding an LTC tax you must have qualified coverage in place before the tax is implemented to avoid paying the tax.
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 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 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.
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