Friday, November 11, 2011

NOW is the Time to Think About Long-Term Care

As Baby Boomers begin to retire and to think about life after retirement, many find that one of their primary concerns is that of long-term care. Some news sources seem to think that paying for long-term care is going to be a number one issue in the coming years, not only for elderly individuals and their families, but for our society as a whole.

“The cost of long-term-care itself is not trivial. Nursing homes cost on average $87,235 annually... One year in an assisted-living facility is now $41,724. Adult day services are $70 per day, and home health aides cost $21 per hour... How can the country deliver and finance long-term-care for its rapidly aging population?”

It is comforting to know that AARP takes a somewhat less dramatic view of the issue. While they do agree that most seniors will at some point face the need for long-term care—“even if you're in good health today, there's a good chance that you'll eventually need some type of long-term care, at least for awhile”— they urge people to take a pragmatic approach... and to start planning as early as possible. “The cost goes up with age, but it's still affordable for many people over age 65. Once you hit the mid-70s, though, the cost of a good long-term care policy becomes very expensive, and it may be difficult to qualify for [it].”

An elder law or estate planning attorney is another resource for seniors and their families who are trying to plan ahead for the possibility of paying for long-term care. We specialize in helping you sort through your options, get your financial ducks in a row (right now and years down the line), and apply for government benefits, if necessary.

Don’t let the need for long-term care catch you by surprise. Contact our office to start planning now.