Long Term Care Insurance for Women – Why it is important

Posted on | November 3, 2011

Regrettably, although majority of the population in nursing home facilities consists mainly of elderly women, too little attention is given to the fact that there is a need to increase the amount of women who currently have an LTC insurance plan. For this reason, several volunteers and advocates for the care of the elderly are demanding greater flexibility and considerate concern when dealing with long term care insurance for women.

Reports from studies reveal that in comparison to men, women have a longer life span. Probably this is the main reason why approximately seventy percent (70%) of the population in these adult care facilities are elderly women. The elderly women are usually widowed or they do not have any children or any other family member that they can depend on.

Although more recently men and women have equal status in most societies, the fact remains that women are the ones who mostly have to provide care for their families. As such, the most important priority of life for them is their welfare. It is expected of men to work hard in order to provide for the family but women are working harder than men nowadays. Women are the ones who are always trying to have a balance between time with the family and their work so that they can still have quality communication time with their family, especially with the children.

We have to note also that emotional aspects are involved when women decide to quit their jobs in order to care for a family member who is sick. Some women would explain that they would feel better to leave their jobs than find someone else to care for their sick relative or loved one because they would not be able to concentrate on the job anyway.

This of course, is a very important reason why several women are not able to afford the long term care cost of insurance. Once their care is required, they usually do not think twice about quitting their jobs; during this time, they do not realize that they may also need attention and professional medical care for themselves in the future. In order to care for their loved ones, they get trapped in their homes and not having a regular or stable income, they have difficulty in getting an LTC insurance plan for themselves.

Women are more prone to major diseases and illnesses that are usually related to ageing because they have a longer lifespan. When elderly women cannot afford to have insurance policies required to pay for all the facilities and services that they will utilize, then the only choice they have is to depend on their younger and stronger family members to take care of them. Regrettably, these family members may not be equipped with the relevant knowledge of how to take good care of the person who has a health condition that requires a particular kind of care or they may not have enough time to ensure that the person has taken the medications prescribed.

Several more factors and issues exist as to why it is critical to have requirements for long term care insurance for women more flexible as well as more considerate.

About the Author:

LTC Financial Partners, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced Long Term Care agencies. Our passion is to provide our clients with the best long term care insurance options to meet their needs. We do this by offering clients an array of products from leading insurance carriers. Each producing agent earns the same commission no matter which insurance company is chosen. This way our clients know that our agent has objectively selected the company that meets their needs. We are domiciled in Washington. LTC Financial Partners, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced Long Term Care agencies. Our passion is to provide our clients with the best long term care insurance options to meet their needs. We do this by offering clients an array of products from leading insurance carriers. Each producing agent earns the same commission no matter which insurance company is chosen. This way our clients know that our agent has objectively selected the company that meets their needs. We are domiciled in Washington.The Company Mission:“We see a time in which every individual will live life fully and completely in dignity, comfort and independence without financial burden. To that end, our work, passion and purpose is to bring appropriate long term care financing solutions to all those we meet.”The Partnership Mission:“As a producer and employee-owned national organization of long term care specialists, we are driven by a passionate and thoughtful commitment to the professional, financial and physical well being of every member of our partnership.”“Not only does that commitment enable each partner to live life in dignity, comfort and independence, it empowers and energizes us to fulfill our collective vision of a unique culture where we are able to realize our highest dreams.”To obtain a free quote for long term care insurance call             1-888-233-7963       today!

DAD, IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO HAND OVER YOUR CAR KEYS

Posted on | October 31, 2011

Speaking with your Aging Parents about no longer driving…this is not going to be an easy conversation.  Your Dad (or Mom) may think of driving as the key to their independence.  But, it doesn’t have to be.  There are transportation alternatives that can keep them self-reliant.  Consider the people who live in major cities.  Many of them never owned a car and are perfectly content using mass transportation.

As our population ages, more communities are offering “paratransit” services – transportation services specifically geared for seniors and others who may have mobility challenges.  For more information check out:

http://www.paratransit.org

Before you have this talk with your Dad, do some research so you can address questions he might have when you bring up the subject of his giving up his keys.  Do not criticize or embarrass him.  Help your Dad understand (as diplomatically as possible) that there are factors outside his control that have affected his ability to drive safely.  Factors such as:

• Physical disabilities
• Vision loss
• Medication side effects
• Frailty, which reduces our ability to react quickly to dangerous circumstances

These are fact-of-life issues that nearly every person will experience at some time if they live a long life.   Many people assess their own skills and modify their driving to make up for what they consider reduced abilities.  They may refrain from driving on highways or from driving at night.

Statistics confirm that mature drivers are involved in more multi-car accidents – especially at intersections.  Sadly, many of these are fatal or we suffer critical injuries because our bodies are not as resistant to impact as when we were younger.  Accidents like these will more than likely increase insurance premiums – something folks on a fixed budget would like to avoid.

Some signs that it might be time for Dad to hand over the keys include:

• Feelings of frustration or anger behind the wheel
• Inability to fully turn head to look behind when safely changing lanes
• Getting confused or lost when driving familiar routes
• Frequent close calls or traffic offenses

When the time comes for this difficult conversation, be sure to show respect and consideration for your Dad’s feelings.  (If you have difficulty with this, consider your child having the same conversation with you 20-40 years from now!)

About the Author:

Terry Lynne Hale has over 30 years of sales, marketing, writing, research and training experience in a variety of industries. Terry thrives on sharing information and credits many authors with being instrumental in developing the person she is today.  Passions include family, the Internet, pets, the planet, the Internet, writing, the Internet, publishing, the Internet, marketing, and the Internet.  Her never-ending quest for learning led her to explore WWW after buying her first computer in 1995.  Naturally, she wanted to share her enthusiasm for the internet with others.  Her training and writing background fueled the passion that led her to write and publish her first eBook, Ageless Internet -Internet BASICS for Boomers and Seniors.  It’s a simplified guide to the World Wide Web and is available for immediate download through Amazon or in all formats on Ageless Internet.

Terry’s experience sourcing and locating independent and assisted living for her parents was the beginning of her exploration into care giving and elder care issues.  Subsequent assistance finding housing for loved ones of friends and family has cemented her interest in Boomer and Senior care.  Terryis committed to getting the word out that it is possible – even preferable, to begin a search for this kind of housing via the Internet, thus her new position as Boomer Care Adviser for SilverCensus.  With an invaluable resource like SilverCensus offering  Free Placement Assistance for Home Careand Assisted Living, your efforts are streamlined, and you save time and money.

SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge. Clients includeassisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD senior housing & independent living communities. We also provide  VA Aid & Attendance assistance for qualified Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are available at                        888-776-1311             or through the web at: http://www.SilverCensus.com.

Retiring Americans Need Long Term Care Insurance

Posted on | October 12, 2011

To plan for your retirement essentially is about making sure that your resources are prepared and that you wisely spend the money that you are earning now in order to maintain your independence during your old age. In planning for retirement, the most vital concern is long term care. Currently, there is long term care being offered which include several and various choices of personal and medical care designed for elderly persons and also people having a disability.

According to The Department of Health and Human Services, 40% of Americans who are at the age of 65 and older are likely to stay in a nursing home. Reports from The America’s Health Insurance Plans showed that 55% of America’s population who are 85 and older and who are badly impaired will certainly require long term care. Most of these seniors who need long term care would rather be cared for in the comfort of their personal surroundings.

The excessive long term care costs in accordance to state are the reason why Americans are doubtful and hesitant about LTC insurance planning. These costs are capable of wiping out their entire resources and savings. The cost goes up as inflation rises each year. As reported by Met Life Mature Market Institute, in the year 2006, $75,190 was the yearly cost for a private room in a nursing home; this is 73% more than it was in 2004. It went as high as $85,585 – $219 per day in 2010. In the meantime, in 2006, the annual cost for assisted living services was $35,616 (a 17.6% increase in cost since 2004); the cost for assisted living services in 2010 was $39,516. Those rates do not include special care required for dementia persons.

In addition, LTC services are not covered by health and life insurances, hence people are finding it difficult to get LTC insurance. Health insurance does not usually cover skilled and personal care, and coverage is often short term. Long term care insurance, on the other hand, is designed to aid people in buying medical as well as non medical services and also to maintain a life of dignity although cognitively impaired or disabled.

The lack of stable health care program from the government makes the long term care crisis in the country worse. People are misled by both Medicaid and Medicare that these programs can allow them free services provided by LTC or at a lot lower rate. However, the two programmes are designed to give support to impoverished Americans and the assistance is normally limited and is for a short term. For example, if you broke an arm or leg, the medical cost will be paid for by Medicare, but much needed personal care required for elders and disabled, like eating, dressing and bathing, are not included. The time Medicare usually pays for is 20 days, but this can be lengthened by way of Medicare supplement. Persons who are underprivileged or earn below the poverty level are qualified by Medicaid. If you are getting more than the maximum value that is required, you first have to use up your assets before you can be qualified because persons who benefit should not have more than $2,000 in total assets.

About the Author:

LTC Financial Partners, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced Long Term Care agencies. Our passion is to provide our clients with the best long term care insurance options to meet their needs. We do this by offering clients an array of products from leading insurance carriers. Each producing agent earns the same commission no matter which insurance company is chosen. This way our clients know that our agent has objectively selected the company that meets their needs. We are domiciled in Washington. LTC Financial Partners, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced Long Term Care agencies. Our passion is to provide our clients with the best long term care insurance options to meet their needs. We do this by offering clients an array of products from leading insurance carriers. Each producing agent earns the same commission no matter which insurance company is chosen. This way our clients know that our agent has objectively selected the company that meets their needs. We are domiciled in Washington.The Company Mission:“We see a time in which every individual will live life fully and completely in dignity, comfort and independence without financial burden. To that end, our work, passion and purpose is to bring appropriate long term care financing solutions to all those we meet.”The Partnership Mission:“As a producer and employee-owned national organization of long term care specialists, we are driven by a passionate and thoughtful commitment to the professional, financial and physical well being of every member of our partnership.”“Not only does that commitment enable each partner to live life in dignity, comfort and independence, it empowers and energizes us to fulfill our collective vision of a unique culture where we are able to realize our highest dreams.”To obtain a free quote for long term care insurance call 1-888-233-7963 today!

Boca Raton Home Care Company Comfort Keepers Helps to Stop Senior Hunger

Posted on | October 6, 2011

One in every nine seniors is at risk of hunger. Chances are, it affects someone you love – even a parent, grandparent or spouse. Comfort Keepers franchises across the nation are uniting to create a voice for this epidemic and raise awareness about the risks of senior hunger and malnutrition.

Hunger can lead to malnutrition and other serious health problems in seniors. It is estimated that as many as 85 percent of seniors in the care of others are at risk for malnutrition or under nutrition. Signs of malnutrition may include sudden weight gain or loss, bruising or dental problems, sudden changes in taste, or a general disinterest in eating. For seniors, malnutrition means the potential for increased hospital stays, increased health complications early entry into assisted living facilities and premature death.

Tips for healthy senior eating:

• Whole grains
• Enrich basic foods
• Spice up bland foods
• Eat the right snacks
• Eat vegetable and fruits raw
• Lean protein and calcium- rich dairy

When planning meals on a fixed income try to plan a menu and write a shopping list. Don’t shop when you are hungry. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Use ground meat, beans and eggs for protein rich meals. Buy store brands, use coupons.

The benefits of a healthy diet can: slow the onset of disease, help reduce and manage symptoms, reduce impact of disease on lifestyle and improve longevity.

Comfort Keepers is dedicated to helping seniors live healthy, independent lives. Nutrition is vital for Senior Independence. Comfort Keepers has created an initiative focused on improving senior nutrition. Through this program we were able to collect 1,600 pounds of food last year to help local seniors. This year, we will be doing more food drives to help seniors.

Comfort Keepers of Boca Raton will begin its’ annual STOP HUNGER FOOD DRIVE, September 15^th until December 15^th.  We will have bins out in Palm Beach County for your donations. For more information how you can help, please call 561-338-4884 or www.stopseniorhunger.com

About the Author:

Comfort Keepers in Boca Raton, Florida – Serving Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Boca West.