It might be hard to imagine now, but chances are you’ll need some help taking care of yourself later in life on a long term basis. The big question is: How will you pay for it? Long-term care refers to a host of services that aren’t covered by regular health insurance. This includes assistance with routine daily activities, like bathing, dressing, or getting in and out of bed.
A long-term care insurance policy helps cover the costs of that care when you have a chronic medical condition, a disability or a disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease. Most policies will reimburse you for care given in a variety of places, such as:
- Your home.
- A nursing home.
- An assisted living facility.
- An adult day care center.
Considering long-term care costs is an important part of any long-range financial plan, especially in your 50s and beyond. Waiting until you need care to buy coverage isn’t an option. You won’t qualify for long-term care insurance if you already have a debilitating condition.
Nearly 70% of people 65 or older will need long-term care services or support, according to 2020 data from the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women typically need care for an average of 3.7 years, while men require it for 2.2 years.
Regular health insurance doesn’t cover long-term care. And Medicare won’t come to the rescue, either; it covers short nursing home stays or limited amounts of home health care when you require skilled nursing or rehab only. It doesn’t pay for custodial care, which includes supervision and help with day-to-day tasks.
The activities of daily living are:
- Bathing.
- Caring for incontinence.
- Dressing.
- Eating.
- Toileting (getting on or off the toilet).
- Transferring (getting in or out of a bed or a chair).