Excuses For Not Buying LTCi Archives - Long Term Care Insurance Expert | Honey Leveen

Just a few months ago Al was enjoying his wife, family and traveling. An acute health event occurred – an aneurism, I think. Now Al will need a tremendous amount of long-term care, for a long time. His family was unprepared for this.

While the circumstances are not that unusual, this particular story hit me hard. Al is my age, only about 68; he was my high school classmate.

This couple had successful careers and saved for retirement. They were constructive, active, engaged, intelligent, business-literate people. But they didn’t prepare properly for long-term care (LTC). If their situation is like most I encounter, an ethical and wise professional, like me, probably knocked on their door many years ago asking to introduce them to how LTC insurance works. They decided they didn’t need LTC insurance and were comfortable enough to self-insure for LTC. After all, they probably wouldn’t need it.

They are now stoically in reactive mode, cobbling together Al’s plan of care, under duress. I bet they do have the money to self-insure for Al’s LTC but they’re reluctant to use it, especially because Al’s need for care could last decades.

Al may need round the clock care. If they had LTC in place, it would pay enough to at least offer respite, possibly changing the wife’s caregiver role enough so that she had opportunity to enjoy her husband’s company.

The following is his wife’s post, the names have been changed:

“Al was transferred to *** **** Lab on 1/18 and it took several more days to wait for Covid results. By the time I finally saw Al, 6 weeks had gone by since I called 911. The family had daily FaceTime conferences with Al while he was in the ICU, but nothing could have prepared me for how lethargic he appeared. Al did remember me, but correct orientation was so limited. I went into a panic mode when a few days later, I was informed that Al’s discharge date to our home would be on 2/11 and that he would require 24 hour supervision for safety, home health and a nurses aide. My mind worked overtime trying to get answers and accommodate our home while planning to keep Al safe. It was much easier to spend whole days at Al’s bedside. Our time together was just as sweet and tender as could be.

THEN, during the second week of rehab, Al started to wake up! He had more periods of lucid wakefulness. His eyes were open and he could hold his head up. Many of his positive, adorable attributes started to emerge, including wanting to wear the “executive director” hat when working with a young speech pathologist. He has such a strong intellect! Al is learning to motor plan for getting from in/out of a chair/bed and using a walker 300 ft with 2 rest breaks and physical assistance. His appetite is getting better and he can feed himself, brush his teeth and use an electric razor, with supervision to stay on task.

I’m being truthful to all of you so that there are no misunderstandings or hopeful inflations of what Al can and cannot do at this time. Al is making progress every day and it may take a year or more. Currently, Al has a limited understanding of his struggles and concrete orientation to time and place continues to be a challenge. He is trying to fill in the blanks of his memory files and it is our responsibility to ensure that he files the correct information. I discovered that this is why watching tv is not helpful!

Discharge planning is underway and all home equipment will be ordered. ***, ***, ***** and I did a complete Do it yourself makeover of Al’s ground floor home office. This room is accessible and a place where we will be living for however long it takes. We are lucky that we planned this addition with a ramp and French doors. In addition, there is an attached efficiency kitchen and full bathroom.

I help the nurses and therapists with Al’s care. I am lucky that patient care and rehab are the foundation of my OT career. This part does not intimidate me at all. While Al is at home, we will set up a daily schedule with music, current events for time and place, self help, seated cooking, games with grandkids, etc. Home will be a good place for continued recovery.

Before we left on our trip, we were in the process of joining ALL of our accounts and passwords. We ran out of time and did not complete this task, which was a big and costly mistake. Now that Al is not able to manage those accounts, I’m am locked out and and I had to obtain legal representation. My advice to friends and family, handle your affairs. Wrap it up in a bow for your trusted partner, family member or friend.

Thank you for all of the continued notes of love and concern. Al’s group of Brother/friends and wives/partners are a lifeline. I plan to lean on them once they get their covid shots. For all others offering help, that time will come when I may ask you.

Bye for now,”

Please note: Name below has been changed – I see this person often and consider us good friends.

Women need much more long-term care than men do. This is because we live longer and we have higher odds of getting Alzheimer’s Disease!

Single women have the greatest odds of needing long-term care.

You would think women would take heed. But they’re not!

Here’s the most recent, tragic story of middle class people unprepared for long-term care.

Here’s the most recent story I’ve seen about how long-term care insurance (LTCi) saved the day by conserving wealth and keeping family function in-tact.

Here’s the latest excuse a friend has given to avoid thinking of, and planning for, long-term care (LTC). I’ve changed her name.

Gloria is a single retired university librarian. She has a special needs daughter who will never be independent. She’s in her 60’s. She has another daughter who’s a single professional, living in another state.

Gloria bought a second pedigreed dog. She plans on training this dog to compete in races.

I gather it is very expensive and takes the equivalent – and more – than long-term care insurance (LTCi) premium would cost to buy, maintain, and train this type of dog.

She told me the new dog will keep her active and will help her avoid needing long-term care.

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