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Archives for July 2018

Assisted Living is Better Than Staying Home

July 28, 2018 by Honey Leveen Leave a Comment

senior woman at the game tableFor about 25 years, I’ve been telling people assisted living is a better solution if there’s a late in life, chronic need for long-term care.

As you can imagine, I’ve met with a lot of resistance about this over the years. This feels like a very emotional decision to leave the “independence” of living in your own home and opting to live in an assisted living facility. However, if you take the time to look at the facts, you’ll understand my position. To fully understand the decision requires the ability to fearlessly envision a time when they are no longer strong, active and independent. And that time is coming for most of us.

A new study backs me up on this. Vindication is a lovely feeling!

The Preference for Assisted Living

A new poll conducted by Key Private Bank was reported on by McKnight’s Senior Living. Of those polled, the conclusion is that if older adults are independent and able to remain at home, that is their natural preference.  At the point where this is no longer safe or feasible, their first choice, by a landslide, is assisted living. The public is finally catching on to this.

Some of you, eager to stay in your home at any cost might be considering the option for home healthcare. Where 93% of respondents would choose assisted living once they could no longer care for themselves, only 11% preferred home healthcare. They understand the unnecessary burden that home care places on family and friends. Plus, the standard of care in assisted living is higher and more consistent.

By the way, some policyholders choose long term care insurance coverage that doesn’t cover home care, which significantly reduces their monthly premiums. Why pay for something you won’t want to use?

Imagine…

Imagine a scenario where you’re living alone. Maybe you’re married but you’re both at an advanced age. You no longer have the balance, strength or stamina from your younger years. You reach a point where you are at risk for falls stepping in or out of the shower. Perhaps you also need a tiny bit of help to avoid falls. Or some help getting up from chairs or getting your pants on. You might be at the point where you have dementia and are starting to make faulty decisions, placing you or your loved ones in danger. Maybe you decide to take an ill-advised walk and you can’t remember how to get back home.

In a reputable assisted living facility, you are

  • safer
  • less likely to experience abuse or fraud
  • at decreased risk for falls
  • able to live with less fear about your well-being
  • more socially stimulated and carefree

If you own LTC insurance (LTCi) and are at the point where you need assistance in basic, daily tasks, your LTCi will be gushing money, waiting to give you the support. Your LTCi is your passport, with readily-accessible funds to access high quality care when needed. Hopefully, you’ll use your policy. If you’re like many of my policyholders, prompt, easy access to care, when it’s needed, will give you more dignity, safety, security, and options.

If you don’t own a LTCi policy, click here to receive your personal quote.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

It’s How You Say It

July 9, 2018 by Honey Leveen Leave a Comment

“It’s not what you say but how you say it.” This quote (or some version of it) is one of the many gems of Mae West. We love it because it’s true! We may have the most important, critical information to share. But if you can’t communicate, what’s the use? It’s like yelling down a well.

MargieMargie Barrie, a long-time friend and colleague, writes on a variety of topics concerning long term care insurance (LTCi). Her latest article in ThinkAdvisor (June 2018) highlights the importance of the language we use when addressing topics that are hard to hear.

She has a gift for finding the right words to get our attention.

This is How You Say It

Margie lists some pointed questions and terms that truly draw peoples’ attention to the urgent need for long term care planning.

Here are some of my favorites, excerpted from her article:

  • What’s your plan for when you get a little older and a little sicker and you need help to put on your shoes and pants and get breakfast? (The imagery makes it very real.)
  • One day you are not going to be as healthy and good looking as you are today. (Suggested by Gene Cutler).
  • 70-70-70: 70 million people are turning 70, and 70% will need long-term care.
  • What have you allocated in your retirement portfolio for long term care? (Until you have planned for long term care expenses, you have allocated everything for long term care expenses.)
  • If one of you has an extended health care need, which of your assets would you liquidate first?
  • This plan is not designed to make you rich. It is designed to keep you from being poor.
  • Put a wall of protection around your portfolio.
  • Wealth protection tool.
  • Having a plan in place gives you a map to follow.
  • Say when your health changes, instead of if. (Suggested by Linda Jobin).
  • Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Dr. Wade Pfau likes to used the term “Spending Shock” to describe the devastating emotional and financial effect from an unforeseen, expensive long term care event. He often writes how it “… can wreak unnecessary, avoidable financial, mental and physical havoc on families and estates.”

Do any of these points speak to you? Do they get you thinking about your plans? If so, take the first step:  Click here to receive your no-obligation quote for your personal LTCi policy.

Filed Under: Denial, Elephant in the Room, Helpful Information About LTC, Information About LTC Tagged With: Long Term Care insurance, LTCi

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Phone: 713-988-4671
Fax: 281-829-7177

Email: honey@honeyleveen.com

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Open Quotation Mark"Honey - Whenever I need a clarification regarding our “LTC” you are “Johnny on the spot” responding in a very prompt manner, reassuring me, informing me in a concise way, patient with me as I massage the understanding in my own words. Your knowledge is current and expressed with confidence, offered in your conscientious and upbeat personality. Quotation Mark ClosedIt is a pleasure to work with you. Thank you for your expertise." ~ Nancy Damon, Houston, TX
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Honey Leveen, LUTCF, CLTC, LTCP
“The Queen, by Self-Proclamation, of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCi)”
404 Royal Bonnet
Ft. Myers, FL 33908

Phone: 713-988-4671
Fax: 281-829-7177

Email: honey@honeyleveen.com

Email: honey@honeyleveen.com

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