A Guide for Families
Having the Conversation About Long Term Care

Talk Sooner Rather Than Later

Have the conversation about long term care before the need arises.

By planning ahead, you can find the quality of care and quality of life that you desire in a long term care facility for yourself, loved one or other person.  Planning ahead will also make the transition easier because many important decisions will already have been made or at least discussed.

When considering long term care, a key advantage to planning ahead is that you will be better prepared financially.  While many people pay for long term care with their own funds, purchasing long term care insurance is an excellent way to prepare for these expenses.  In some cases, employers will provide long term care insurance in their benefits package.  Medicare, a government program for citizens 65 and older, may cover the first 20 days of skilled care in a nursing facility and may partially pay for the next 80 days for a total benefit not to exceed 100 days, as long as the person qualifies.  Another way long term care is financed is with Medicaid.  Medicaid is a government welfare program for those individuals without the ability to pay for health care themselves.  Financial concerns can be the most challenging part when considering long term care.  The level of care needed, the setting where the care is provided and the geographic location determines cost.  To ease the process, your financial records should be well organized.  For more information on financial considerations, you can consult AHCA’s pamphlet “Understanding Long Term Care Insurance.”

>> next