Elder Care Advice

Are you a member of the "Baby Boomer Generation?"  If so, you are aware that you are living longer today than in the past. Some of you have multiple, chronic health conditions, and other forms of disability. Increasingly, "Boomers" are either aging in place or living in independent and assisted living facilities, not in a nursing homes. At this critical time in your life, you need to make decisions which involve your life savings. Asset Protection can be achieved by Long-Term Care Insurance or Medicaid Planning.

WHAT IS LONG-TERM CARE?

Long Term care is a range of services and supports your loved one may need to meet their health or personal needs over a long period of time. You need long term care when you are not able to complete personal care or other daily activities on your own.  This is most often the result of chronic illness or disability.  In some cases, the illness or disability may include memory loss, confusion, or disorientation, sometimes called cognitive impairments. This can be the result of conditions such as Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. Your understanding of long-term care services and your loved one's possible need for services can help you maximize your independence and functioning at a time when you or your loved one may not be fully independent.

Planning ahead for long-term care is important because, there is a good chance you will need some long-term care services if you live beyond age 65. Almost 70% of people over 65 need long-term care.   More than 40% will need some form of care in a nursing home.

Services and support needs will vary from individual to individual and change over the course of time.  On average someone who is 65 today will need some form of long-term care services and support for three years. Because women live longer than men they need care longer (average 3.7 years), as compared to their counter parts who need care for less time (average 2.2 years).  About 1/3 of Baby Boomers who are 65 may never need long-term care services and supports. However, 20% will need care for more than 5 years.

Paying for long-term care may be difficult for a lot of people who have lost their retirement savings since the market crash of 2008.  The average cost in an assisted living facility or nursing home can cost anywhere between $80,000 and $125,000 per year.  It all depends on where you live and the type of facility you choose.  Most Baby Boomers choose to age in place. The cost for Boomers aging in place will be significantly less.  Home health care aides can cost anywhere between $16 an hour to $30 an hour and 24 hour care will cost less.  Boomers need to start preparing early for their long-term needs.  Buying a long term care policy can be advantageous to protecting your retirement savings and keeping your family from the emotional turmoil of being the primary caregiver.

What Happens If You Need Long-Term Care Services?
  • You may qualify for help with personal care or other daily activities.  80% of unpaid caregiving may come from a family member or friend.  On the average caregivers spend 20 hours a week giving care.  Approximately 58% of  intensive caregiving includes assisting with personal care activities, such as bathing, toileting, transferring, dressing, and feeding.
  • Formal services can be provided in the comfort of your home from a nurse, or home health care aide, therapist, social worker, or homemaker.
  • Services can be performed in a community center, such as an adult day care facility.
  • Services can be performed in a variety of long-term care facilities.
Most paid long-term care services are purchased from home health or personal care agencies, assisted living, or nursing home facilities.  Nursing home facilities don't always allow you to pick the services, but you can be an integral part of the process and you can direct some of the services.   You need to learn how to be a good advocate or you need to hire an independent advocate.  Home care services from an agency where you are paying or using long-term care insurance allow for a little more flexibility. You still need to learn how to be a good advocate or hire an independent advocate.

Whether you are looking for information for yourself or for a loved one, it is important to understand what long-term care is and how it pertains to you. There are many types of services and resources available in your community. Having a better understanding of long-term care will help you know which one best fits your needs and budget. Stastically, 30% of individuals applying for Long-Term Care Insurance will be turned down. Don't Be One Of Them.  Apply when you are young and healthy.

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH
  • Advanced Care Directives & Health Care Proxy
  • Being the Primary Caregiver & Running on Empty
  • Different Types of Medicaid and Your Qualifications
  • Elder Care Planning/Social Security Disability
  • Estate Planning
  • Home Healthcare Aides or Companions?
  • Home Care Evaluations-Preparation & Advocacy
  • How to Pay for Services
  • Legal Adice & Estate Planning
  • Long Term Care & AARP United Health Care Medicare Supplemental Insurance
  • Long Term Care Planning
  • Medications & Doctors Appointment Management
  • Referral to Assisted Living, Independent Living & Nursing Home Facilities
  • Referral for Medical, Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapy
  • Selecting a Home Care Agency

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please call me (516) 972-4463 for a free half hour consultation.  I also work with several Long-Tem Care Companies and can customize a Long-Term Care Policy to fit your needs.

Contact Me

Face-to-Face Appointments in the Comfort of the Client's Home Only
Video Conferencing and Teletherapy by Zoom or GoTo Meeting
New York, Nassau, Suffolk, Counties and New York City


Availability

Primary

Monday:

9:00 am-9:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-9:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-9:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

By Appointment

Sunday:

Closed