Long term care policy- planning for your old age

The term ‘Senior Citizen’ spells a perfect combination of ultimate wisdom and experience! However, sometimes it also resounds with silent pain, suffering and worry that become their only companions in life. They have enjoyed life’s most cherished moments, as well as witnessed its darkest side. They have experienced the harsh realities of life, often suffering from the indignities of uncaring relatives. Using long-term policies created specially for them can allay the challenges senior citizens face in their silver years.

Types:

There are various long-term care policies catering to the physical ailments that afflict old age. Often, severe medical conditions require specially trained nurses and doctors twenty-four hours a day. Long-term care envelopes regular care required by a person ailing with an acute illness or disability. The degree of care generally includes bathing, dressing and many other specific services.

Main Concern:

The main concern of most families is to provide their aging parents with the best available long-term care, without resulting in a major monetary burden for the rest of the family. Usually, most families wonder when to time the long-term care for their aged relatives; whether it is required at all, or would the care given by family members themselves be enough.

Major Disagreement:

One of the greatest arguments against buying a long-term care policy is that people feel that the money paid as premium would be wasted if there were no need for the benefit. It is akin to people hesitating about getting their car insured, for there is no guarantee of the car being damaged in an accident. Of course, it boils down to priorities; just as one insures a car to take care of unforeseen circumstances, long-term care insurance provides future security by taking care of an aging loved one.

Reasons:

Though it is not possible to predict if there would ever be a need for hospitals, home-care services, or assistance in living, still, you could opt for a long-term care insurance policy for reasons such as:

- Restoration of personal freedom

- Easing the burden on care-takers

- To save assets for the rest of the family.

- To access the virtual helping hand at a time of acute crisis.

Eligibility:

A senior citizen would be eligible for funds provided they meet the following criteria:

- If he or she is unable to perform at least two to three, out of five or six, regular activities that are necessary for daily life, which includes bathing, dressing, toiletry, moving about, feeding oneself, and the like.

- All tax-qualified policies state that a qualified doctor must declare the applicant severely ill.

- The illness should have signs of lasting for at least for ninety days.

Though long-term insurance policies are an expensive buy, yet their significance is important for senior citizens. As one ages, there is a growing fear of being hindered by illness and disability, the costs involved, and being a burden on one’s family. A long-term care insurance policy goes a long way in easing these fears, helping senior citizens face their silver years confidently.