Former NFL Star Mark Gastineau: I Have Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's
Former NFL football star Mark Gastineau who made his name with the New York Jets, has been suffering from dementia and Parkinson's disease, which he believes resulted from his 10-year NFL career. Even for an NFL star, the consequences affect his family and finances.
In January of 2017, former New York Jets player Mark Gastineau revealed that he was suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease, which he believes resulted from his 10-year football career. Most people who suffer from these conditions are not former NFL players, but the impact on the person, their family, and their finances are tremendous.
Many consider Gastineau as one of the NFL's most recognizable stars during his playing days from 1979 to 1988. He was known for his entertaining dances after taking down quarterbacks as part of the New York Jet's defense.
Since then, he has been in the news for his fight against cancer and revealing his childhood rape. In 2018 Gastineau appealed to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to assist him and other players who suffer from what they claim are football-related health concerns.
In his battle with colon cancer, Gastineau completed his final radiation treatment in 2019.
Many People Suffer from Cognitive Decline
A 2008 study completed by researchers at the Duke University Medical Center, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, and the RAND Corporation indicated that more than one-third of those age 70 and older have some form of memory loss.
While not all those people require supervision, as a person gets older and cognitive decline increases, the need for supervision is critical.
Parkinson's Impacts Millions of American's
An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson's disease. The incidence of Parkinson's increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with Parkinson's were diagnosed before age 50.
Men are one and a half times more likely to have Parkinson's than women. Parkinson's, like dementia, requires long-term health care services as their conditions worsen.
Do You Have a Plan for the Impact of Longevity?
Advance planning for the financial costs and burdens of aging should be part of your retirement plan. Planning should occur when your health is still good, ideally in your 40s or 50s, when premiums are lower, and many people can enjoy good health discounts.
A successful retirement includes affordable Long-Term Care Insurance. The policy will safeguard your retirement accounts like your 401(k), IRA, and other assets from the high costs of long-term health care. Plus, there is a tremendous burden placed on loved ones when your health declines due to an illness, accident, or the impact of longevity. Long-Term Care Insurance gives your family the time to be family and not be forced to become caregivers.
Research Tools for Long-Term Care Insurance
You can use the tools on LTC NEWS to assist you in your research.
Long-Term Care Insurance provides guaranteed benefits. Most policies offer inflation options that increase your benefits over time but not your premium. Another big plus is Long-Term Care Insurance can never be canceled unless you stop paying your premium.
Today's Long-Term Care Insurance is also rate stable. Most states now have rate stabilization rules, making it very difficult to raise premiums in the future. Some companies offer single pay or limited pay options as well, which eliminates the need to keep paying premiums.
It is highly suggested to use the assistance of a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist who represents the major insurance companies. They should have substantial experience in policy design, underwriting, and claims.
Be sure to ask the specialist if a Partnership Long-Term Care policy is best for you. These policies provide dollar-for-dollar asset protection.
About the Author
An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.
James Kelly
Contributor since August 21st, 2017
Editor's Note
Being prepared for declining health and the consequences of aging should be a crucial part of your overall retirement plan. People need long-term care services due to an illness, accident, or the impact of aging. Health insurance and Medicare (including supplements) will not pay for most of these costs.
Family caregivers find it hard to juggle their careers and family responsibilities with that of a caregiver for an older parent. The burden is something most people have said in surveys that they don't want to place on their family.
The solution is affordable Long-Term Care Insurance. LTC Insurance provides guaranteed tax-free benefits to access your choice of quality care options, including care at home. You will protect your income and assets and reduce the stress and anxiety otherwise placed on loved ones.
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, insurance companies' premiums vary over 100% 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.
Finding Quality Care for Mom or Dad
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 they are 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
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.
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.
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, 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
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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.
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Let's work together and help consumers who search for us on the web - Site Request | LTC News.
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