6-Ton Elephant in the Room

A big fat 6-ton elephant of long-term care is in the room!

The newly released C.A.R.E.(Costs, Accountabilities, Realities, Expectations) study confirms how badly prepared Americans are for long-term care.

It is scary!

Click here for more info about the study, good graphics, a lifespan calculator and LTC Cost of Care calculator.

36% of Americans are, or have been, caregivers to someone aging, ill, or with special needs (other than a child).

People are divorced from reality. When asked what people with no caregiving experience expect, they overwhelmingly envisioned their role to focus mainly around performing such chores as grocery shopping (78%), cooking (73%) and laundry (72%).

Experienced caregivers, however, tell a different story. While chores are undeniably a big part of the job, emotional support ranked equally high (83%). Financial support and personal hygiene were cited as the aspects of caregiving that cause the most anxiety.

People want the caregiving experience to be more about chores than money, hygiene and emotions. Unfortunately, it is not, unless there is long-term care insurance (LTCi) or so much wealth (as in Glen Campbell’s case) that no one is concerned about spending it on long-term care.

Here is a great looking, easy-to-understand graphic with similar information.