How to Find the Best Caregiver for Mom or Dad
Most of us will, at some point, need to find a caregiver for Mom or Dad. You may have already experienced this task. Your children will likely face it for your...
Most of us will, at some point, need to find a caregiver for Mom or Dad. You may have already experienced this task. Your children will likely face it for your future long-term care as well. This can be very difficult, especially if you are fully responsible for your Mom or Dad and have no help. Family caregivers face many challenges balancing their own jobs, families, and responsibilities. Even if they had the time and the willingness to be a caregiver, they are unlikely qualified to be a good one without putting the person they are caring for in danger or endangering their own health.
Paid care is expensive. If your loved one has Long-Term Care Insurance many policies will help you develop a plan of care and even find quality caregivers. If they don’t have a policy then this responsibility now falls on you.
Diane Franklin, writing in Our Parents says, “When it comes to selecting caregivers for seniors, certainly professional qualifications are important. You will want a competent individual who has the skills, experience, and training to fulfill daily caregiving tasks. Beyond those prerequisites, it’s also important to find a person who understands that caregiving means caring. You want a caregiver who relates well to others and is attentive to your parent’s needs.”
You can reduce the stress on the burden on your children when they are faced with caregiving issues for you. Long-Term Care Insurance provides tax-free money to pay for your choice of quality care either at home or in a facility. Plus, most plans provide some level of case management. These qualified nurses or social workers will help in developing a plan of care and finding care which fits your needs. Although not managed care, it does take much of the pressure off the family so they have time being family.
The best time to obtain coverage is prior to your retirement. You can take advantage of low premiums and even good health discounts when to start planning in your 40s or 50s. Seek the help of a Long-Term Care specialist. Very few of these people exist nationwide, however, their experience will help you design an affordable plan which will help you safeguard assets and reduce the burdens otherwise placed on loved ones. Be sure they represent all the major companies, understand policy design and underwriting and have experienced multiple claims. Most general insurance agents and financial advisors lack this expertise. The right specialist will save you a lot of money by selecting the right company and the right policy design.
Start your online research by finding the current cost of long-term care services and the availability of tax incentives and partnership plans which provide additional asset protection. Find your state on the LTC NEWS MAP by clicking here. LTC NEWS can help you find a qualified LTC specialist – just click here.
Make getting older easier on those you love. Long-Term Care Insurance is easy, affordable and rate stable income and asset protection. Enjoy the peace-of-mind knowing you will have a better lifestyle as you get older without placing this burden on your family.
About the Author
An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.
James Kelly
Contributor since August 21st, 2017
Editor's Note
Your health and budget are tied together. As you age, you should be concerned about the growing cost of long-term health care. Changes in health, mobility, and memory lead to a need for long-term care, and those costs can be significant.
There is now an additional concern for new taxes to address the pressure on each state's Medicaid budgets. The State of Washington has already implemented the so-called LTC Tax on residents without qualified Long-Term Care Insurance in place. Several other states are pursuing their own LTC Tax, including:
- California
- New York
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Pennsylvania
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Utah
If you live in one of those states, you should consider taking proactive action to at least avoid the tax. The tax would be placed on 100% of earned income. The primary benefit of Long-Term Care Insurance is to protect your 401(k) and other assets from rising long-term health care expenses. Avoiding a tax is an added bonus.
Find Professional Help When Shopping for LTC Coverage
Long-Term Care Insurance comes in various types and options. In accordance with Section 7702(b) of U.S. Code, tax-qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policies include significant consumer protections, regulated benefit triggers, and tax incentives. However, many general insurance agents and financial advisors lack proper training on these products, underwriting, and policy design.
In addition, residents of certain states who don't own a qualified LTC Insurance policy are subject to a tax. To navigate the numerous options, you need the assistance of a knowledgeable Long-Term Care Insurance specialist. Additionally, a specialist can assist you in discovering the most cost-effective option based on your age, health, and family history.
Locate a specialist you can rely on who has dealt with all the top companies and understands underwriting, policy design, and claims - Work With a Specialist.
Tools and Resources Available on LTC NEWS
There is a lot of misinformation or incorrect information about long-term health care planning on the internet. Not every insurance agent or financial advisor has the expertise to assist you with long-term care planning. LTC NEWS can help.
The Frequently Asked Questions section of LTC NEWS addresses the most frequently asked issues concerning long-term health care planning.
You can find all the resources available on LTC NEWS right here - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning.
The cost of long-term health care services is rapidly increasing. The LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator provides you with the actual and projected costs of care services where you reside.
Curious how much Long-Term Care Insurance costs? Learn more here - How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost?
How About Elderly Parents?
If your older parents or family members are declining and need help now, what can you do to help? You can get help finding quality caregivers or long-term care facilities and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether or not they have an LTC policy. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | 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.
Be a Contributor to LTC NEWS
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 promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media. However, it must have editorial content exclusive to LTC NEWS and not just an advertisement.
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 market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.
Shared Links and News
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.
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
