As people begin to live longer lives, the need for long term care has become apparent. You have probably noticed long term care facilities in your area. These range from full service facilities where people who are incapacitated can have round the clock medical care to assisted living where some folks are independent but need help once in a while.
The baby boomers are beginning to age and the need for long term care has become apparent. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 70 percent of people will need long term care at one time in their lives. Yet insurance does not pay for most of this care. In many cases, a person has to use up all of their hard earned savings, money that they maybe wanted to leave to their children, and pay for nursing home care.
Once someone has basically bankrupted themselves by paying for their care, they have to go on public aid. In many cases, they are then transferred to another facility which may be far from their home. This can make it difficult for loved ones to visit with them, only adding to the misery of trying to recover from illness. If the person does get well, they find that they have nothing left – no home, no savings and no possessions. Everything went to pay for their care.
When you work all of your life, you want to leave something behind to your loved ones after you are gone. You do not want to burden them with debt. Yet many adult children of those who need long term care are paying $150 a day to keep their parents in decent long term care facilities.
This is the reason why you need long term care insurance. Yes, you would like to live to a ripe old age, save your pension and die in your sleep. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. Chances are very great that you will end up needing some long term care. This is why it is wise to get insurance.
If you are counting on Medicare to pay for your long term care, forget it. Medicare will not cover these costs entirely. For the most part, you will be on your own. And $150 a day is not unreasonable for the care that you will require in a long term care facility.