1) 52% said it was “irresponsible” not to plan for their own long term care, but 85% of respondents said they do not have a plan for long term care
2) 70% agreed that a year in a nursing cost $30,000 (the real figure is around $85,000.00, nationally). When confronted with this, 62% responded they could likely not be able to afford a full year of nursing-level care.
3) 46% were not aware of the spend down requirements to get Medicaid benefits
4) 61% said they would prefer to pay for long term care with insurance, but 89% did not have coverage.
5) While 80% mentioned cost as a reason for being uninsured, 70% claimed to have at least $14,000 per year available to pay for care (500-750% the cost of a typical new premium).

This shows we all have a ways to go in getting the message out about long term care planning. We will work in the coming year to improve public knowledge so that everyone has the opportunity to plan ahead with current and unvarnished facts.

We couldn’t agree more – there is no greater risk to one’s retirement portfolio than the need for long term care. I would also add that pre-retirees are the ones most able to take advantages of low premiums and high acceptance rates. In fact, couples who plan ahead wisely can have premiums much lower than what Dave suggested for the exact same coverage. Since LTC is such a big part of the retirement agenda, it should be explored as soon as retirement planning goes into full-gear. Thanks, Dave!

Check out the article here:

After all, every dollar of coverage is a dollar that a family does not have to provide, either in the form of direct caregiving or hiring caregiving services.

Check it out here: http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/planning/some-longtermcare-insurance-is-better-than-none-1323801701961/

LTCI Watch: Will the Grandchildren Have First Cousins? | LifeHealthPro.

One of the great things about the Alzheimer’s Association is the chance to hear the stories of such great people. This is a family with whom Gail had a wonderful conversation. The family’s matriarch, Betty Tate, cared for her husband after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She recalled going from a large world living with a man who served his country in the military and operated a large cattle ranch to the very small world of the Alzheimer’s mind. It was beautiful to see how supportive her family was in her efforts to support the Alzheimer’s Association in his memory.

Betty Tate and her family.

The premise of the proposed changes is that those with Medigap coverage are more likely to use their Medicare benefits. Therefore, higher deductibles and co-pays will discourage unnecessary medical care.

This is an argument that is also sometimes made regarding standard health insurance. “If more people had high deductible health plans they would use less coverage”. This is true. However, it does absolutely nothing to address the underlying problem in Medicare, which is the high cost of health care. Putting seniors into situations where they will be less vigilant in pursuing care will only lead to more severe issues that cost more money. “A stitch in time saves nine.”

People have purchased Medigap coverage to be responsible – they wanted to have predictable health care costs at an age when incomes are largely fixed. In my opinion, that sort of prudence should be celebrated in America – not punished.

To learn more, go to www.protectmedigap.org

Jason Hillner

This is such an imperative need for all Americans, not just those affected by Alzheimer’s. As we wrangle over our budgetary issues, finding a way to control Alzheimer’s is key to the stability of entitlement programs. See this excerpt from a press release from the Alzheimer’s Association on the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act:

“According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, total payments for health and long-term care services for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias amount to $183 billion, with Medicare and Medicaid making up the overwhelming majority of these costs. In fact, for every $28,000 Medicare and Medicaid spend on care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias; the NIH spends only $100 on Alzheimer’s research.

This disproportion underscores the need for a greater commitment to Alzheimer’s research in order to find effective interventions that will reduce care costs. A treatment that delayed onset of Alzheimer’s by just five years could reduce the government’s spending on caring for those with the disease by 45 percent in 2050.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oF7iD0B8jWU

Dear Friends,
Please take a moment to read this message. I want to let you know of a tragic accident involving my niece and her beautiful family.

On Christmas Eve, my niece, Trina Haxton (29), and her husband, Paul (30), were driving with their two daughters, Lyndsey (6) and Hayley (4) to visit Trina’s mother (my sister). Less than a mile from her mother’s house, they lost control of their car. It rolled several times, finally landing upside down in a ditch. Paul was killed instantly and Trina sustained severe spinal chord injuries. Miraculously, the girls survived with only minor bruises. No one witnessed the accident, but a neighbor heard the girls crying for help and was able to get the girls out of the car and save Trina’s life.

Trina was air-lifted to the University of Maryland Medical Center where she underwent emergency surgery on her spine and is currently in critical condition. She suffered such devastating injuries that she will likely be a quadriplegic. We are hopeful that she will be able to breathe on her own. Paul’s New Year’s Eve funeral was attended by hundreds of friends and family members but not by his loving wife. Fortunately, they were able to videotape the funeral so that Trina can watch it when she is conscious and healthy enough. She has not seen her girls since the accident.

The girls are safe and staying with my sister, Trina’s mother, in Delaware. My sister was nearing retirement and will now care full-time for her daughter and two granddaughters.

As you might imagine, Trina is facing a lifetime of devastating medical costs. They are a loving family. Before the accident, Paul was a devoted father who worshiped his girls, and Trina was a dedicated mother who stayed home with them. Now, she faces an unimaginable battle.

I am asking you to consider making a donation to help them care for the girls and provide ongoing care to my niece, who may never be able to hug her children again. For all the fun runs, 5Ks, bake sales, and office pools you’ve ever given to, please consider this request. Perhaps you can make a donation in thanks for your own personal blessings. We are heart-broken and hoping for a miracle.

The family is accepting donations at the following site:
http://thehaxtonfamily.chipin.com/the-haxton-family

I am also attaching a link to a video with some pictures of my niece and her beautiful family. Please feel free to forward to anyone whom you believe might be moved by this story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7cLbb0cDvI

Sincerely,
Paul Sponaugle

Jason Hillner, Mrs. Gagne, and Gail Lindsey

Pat lives at the independent Alexian Brothers community on Signal Mountain with her adopted cat, “Meow”. We have been pleased to call her a client for over a decade, and she cannot say enough about the comfort and peace of mind she receives knowing that she can maintain choice and independence should when her health declines. We look forward to celebrating her 100th birthday soon!