It’s How You Say It

“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.

Margie 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.