Long-Term Care Myths

Long-term careCare given to someone who can no longer perform activities of daily living. is a complicated issue. The best way to weed out the misinformation about long-term care is to learn the facts.

MYTH: I’M TOO YOUNG TO NEED LONG-TERM CARE

FACT: 40 percent of people receiving long-term care are working age adults under the age of 64 years. Long-term care is most associated with aging, but anyone may need long-term care at some point. Accidents, chronic illnesses and disabilities can occur at any age, requiring many to seek assistance with activities of daily living.

MYTH: MY FAMILY WILL TAKE CARE OF ME

FACT: In today’s society, children are more apt to live further away from parents. Many adult children take less vacation time and work longer hours. Caring for a family member is a time-consuming, mentally and emotionally challenging endeavor and providing that care can be a financial burden. Studies show that caregiving affects a person’s work, resulting in lost wages and missed job opportunities. It is also linked to the deterioration of the caregiver’s health. Aside from these, the stress of caregiving directly affects the caregiver’s own family life. It can be difficult to care for a family member without the right assistance.

MYTH: LONG-TERM CARE = “NURSING HOME”

FACT: More than 80 percent of long-term care is provided in settings other than a nursing facility. In fact, up to 70 percent of long-term care recipients still live in their own homes or with families or friends. Others receive part-time care from home healthcare agencies, adult day careA licensed day care program that usually provides personal care, supervision, protection or assistance in eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, moving about or taking medications. centers or assisted-living facilities.

MYTH: MY HEALTH INSURANCE OR HMO COVERS LONG-TERM CARE COSTS

FACT: Most health insurance plans and programs cover hospital, doctor and prescription expenses related to illness or injury. Typically, even the most comprehensive plan will not pay for assistance with daily activities. The only private coverage available for such services is a long-term care insuranceSpecific type of insurance policy designed to offer financial support to pay for necessary long-term care services. policy.

MYTH: LONG-TERM CARE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE ARE THE SAME THING

FACT: Disability insurance replaces the income lost when someone becomes hurt or ill. Unlike long-term care insurance, it will not cover home careHome health care, personal care, homemakers services, hospice care and respite care., assisted-living or nursing home expenses.

MYTH: LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE COVERS ONLY NURSING HOMES/FACILITIES

FACT: Long-term care insurance gives people the choice of how they would like care provided to them, whether it be at home, adult day care, assisted-living facility, hospice or a nursing facility.

MYTH: I CAN SAVE ENOUGH ON MY OWN

FACT: Personally paying for long-term care expenses is one option. However, you should consider the type of long-term care services you would like and the cost of that care before relying on this method. In 2014, the California statewide average cost of a private room in a nursing home is $94,900 annually and home care can sometimes be just as expensive. With an average stay of 2.3 years, that’s $218,300 per average stay (rounded to the nearest $100). Paying for long-term care may be an option if you can afford those expenses.