IQ expert Dr. Marion Somers: I’m getting divorced — should I get long-term care insurance?
Q: My husband and I are divorcing, and our kids are grown up and out of the house. Should I consider long-term care insurance? What are the pros and cons?
A: Long-term care insurance helps cover the cost of long-term health care and generally can help pay for care not covered by most health insurers, Medicare or Medicaid.
| Dr. Marion Somers: In the Long Term |
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| Dr. Marion Somers is the author of “Elder Care Made Easier: Doctor Marion’s 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One.” |
The benefits are that long-term care insurance covers home care, assisted living, adult day care, respite care, hospice care, nursing homes and Alzheimer’s facilities. If you purchase home care coverage, it pays for home care, often from the first day it is needed. A policy may pay for a visiting or live-in caregiver, companion, housekeeper, therapist or private-duty nurse up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Without long-term care insurance, the cost of providing these services will very quickly diminish someone’s life savings.
Most women do not have sufficient retirement funds or savings to cover long-term health needs. This is compounded by the fact that women tend to live longer and may be more in need of long-term health care. Financially, women have to be conscious about their future retirement needs so that they can remain as independent as they wish to be in their later years. It’s always beneficial to discuss your financial needs and projected income with a financial adviser so that you know you’re making the best choices for you and your family.
If you’re considering a policy, make sure to negotiate with a qualified long-term care insurance company and agent who will take into account your personal needs and what you think you can afford. To help save on premiums, look into getting a group rate, perhaps through a union that offers long-term care benefits, an alumni association or similar groups. Keep in mind that premiums paid on a long-term care insurance policy may be eligible for an income tax deduction.
Dr. Marion Somers, Ph.D., has more than 40 years of experience as a geriatric care manager and caregiver, and as an author, speaker and teacher regarding elder care and other elder issues. With the senior generation living longer than ever before, Dr. Marion believes we are on the verge of an “elder care tsunami.” After decades of working directly with seniors and their caregivers, Dr. Marion launched a public effort to provide practical tools, solutions and advice to those struggling with caring for our aging population. She is the author of “Elder Care Made Easier: Doctor Marion’s 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One” and creator of two iPhone apps: Elder411 and Elder911.
For more information, visit www.drmarion.com.
If you have a long-term care insurance question for Dr. Marion Somers, please send it to john.egan@insurancequotes.com.
