Planning for Long-Term Care: What You Need to Know

You might end up needing care at some point in your life.
And the costs of long-term care can be staggering: A recent study by The Pew Charitable Trusts found that nursing home costs alone averaged $83,720 per year. By planning for long-term care now, however, you can take control of your future and protect yourself from financial hardship down the road.
Here's what you need to know about preparing for long-term healthcare needs:
The odds that you'll need long-term care are higher than you think. In fact, one in four people will need long-term care at some point in their lives. The risk is only heightened with age: 1 in 2 people over the age of 85 will need long-term care.
Because of how common it is and how expensive it can be, planning for this type of coverage should be part of every American's financial strategy—and yet many don't know how to go about doing so.
Long-term care refers to the services and support that you may need if you have a chronic illness or disability.
It can help with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and getting around.
Long-term care is often an important consideration when planning for retirement. Long-term care insurance helps pay for some or all of your long-term care expenses if they're needed while you're alive. However, there are many other things to consider when planning for long-term needs before reaching age 65.
Most people require long-term care in their own homes, but it can also be provided in an assisted living facility, a nursing home or in a hospital.
Home health care is another option for those who are not medically stable enough to leave their homes. If you are receiving home healthcare services and it is determined that you need long-term support, you may be eligible for Medicaid funding for nursing home placement.
Long-term care tends to be expensive, but there are options to help pay for it.
Medicaid is a government program that provides health care coverage to certain people who meet specific criteria related to income, assets, and living arrangements. The federal government sets the rules for Medicaid eligibility and payment rates for long-term care services.
Long-term care planning helps you take control of your future, but it's not something to tackle alone.
When you plan for long-term care, you're taking charge of your future. You can't do it alone, though. It's important that you have a plan and talk to an expert about what works best for you and your family.
If you're caring for an elderly parent or loved one, it's important to understand the basics of long-term care planning so that you won't be caught off guard in the future. The most important part of long-term care planning is a comprehensive assessment of your situation by an expert who understands how insurance works and can help you make informed decisions about coverage options.
Discussing your concerns and goals with a trusted expert can help prepare yourself and your family members for any situation that comes up in life—even if it doesn't involve long-term care!
When you have questions about your loved ones future with long-term care planning, contact our firm at Nash Law Firm. We'll be happy to discuss your options with you.








