{"id":22,"date":"2011-08-01T12:30:23","date_gmt":"2011-08-01T12:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ns1.wshost6.com\/~latchman\/blog\/?p=22"},"modified":"2014-09-18T19:26:04","modified_gmt":"2014-09-18T19:26:04","slug":"long-term-care-insurance-a-valuable-asset-to-employ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/uncategorized\/long-term-care-insurance-a-valuable-asset-to-employ\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-term care insurance a valuable asset to employ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Long-term care insurance (LTCi) is still in it\u2019s infancy in Canada. I do not think, Insurance Companies and Advisors are<br \/>\ndoing a very good job marketing it at all. <\/p>\n<p>Most of us know what long-term disability insurance (LTDi) is. So I am going to compare them because there are similarities. Basically, they both pay out a certain amount of money when you can\u2019t perform your regular daily duties. That\u2019s not exactly it, but it will help you to understand the concept\/product.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-lists-inline\">\n<h3>Remember:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Everyone gets older<\/li>\n<li>People do get sick and\/or disabled<\/li>\n<li>Costs of services\/goods will always increase<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>How long did it take you to plan your last vacation? If you would put at least the same time into your long-term planning it would pay off 10 fold. Statistics say that there is a 2\/3 chance that a couple over the age of 65 will spend time in a nursing home or long-term care facility. For seniors that are not in a relationship, the chances are much greater.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-lists-inline\">\n<h3>What are the odds?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Your home has a 1 in 1,200 chance of being destroyed by fire<\/li>\n<li>Your automobile has a 1 in 240 chance of being totaled<\/li>\n<li>You have a 1 in 12 chance of being hospitalized<\/li>\n<p><strong>Think about this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How many homes have you seen burn down? And yet, we continue to buy home insurance.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Some of us are lucky to have some health benefits at work. Today statistics tell us people have several jobs during their working years. Fifty years ago, things were different. My point is that, sometimes, you will be without company benefits.<\/p>\n<p>Having personal protection early in your career is critical to your livelihood; for several reasons, the main is obtaining it when you are young and healthy, and at that time you have the most to lose as well. I don\u2019t know about your circumstances but<br \/>\nI know most of us have to work every day so we can pay our bills. <\/p>\n<p>Statistics tell us that the average person uses their retirement savings as an emergency fund. Running out of money is a very scary thought and how about running out of money and being disabled and\/or critically ill at the same time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-lists-inline\">\n<h3>20 Years Can Change A Lot<\/h3>\n<p>According to the Bank of Canada, the average annual inflation rate over the last 20 years has been about 2%.<\/p>\n<p>Two percent seems small, but over 20 years the cost of goods and service has risen about 50%. <\/p>\n<p>Lets take a look 20 years into the future at the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home in Ontario. Today it is about $1,900 a month and in 2032 it could be $2,800 a month, an increase of $900 per month and 10,800 per year.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In my opinion, it would help if to buy as much as you can afford or qualify for today. I am talking about LTCi. This type of insurance can cover you for the rest of your life. That is, if you buy the right kind.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-lists-inline\">\n<h3>Alzheimer\u2019s in Canada:<\/h3>\n<p>2008 \u2014 103,700 new cases per year<br \/>\n(one new case every five minutes)<br \/>\n2038 \u2014 257,800 new cases per year<br \/>\n(one new case every two minutes)<\/p>\n<h3>Dementia in Canada:<\/h3>\n<p>2008 \u2014 480,600 people with dementia<br \/>\n(1.5% of Canada\u2019s population)<br \/>\n2038 \u2014 1,125,200 people with dementia<br \/>\n(2.8% of Canada\u2019s population)<br \/>\n<em>(Statistics from Alzheimer\u2019s Society of Canada)<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<p>Statistics tell us that 90% of people survive a heart attack and 80% of stroke victims survive. That means time off work. No money coming in, but the bills keeps coming, along with the extra costs.<\/p>\n<p>I am sure you know one person who has suffered a critical illness\/disability. Ask them about the out-of-pocket costs that add up.<br \/>\nMost think the government pays for everything. That is not the case for most Canadians. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-lists-inline\">\n<h3>Breaking Down Care<\/p>\n<h3> The following relates to October 2010, in<br \/>\nOntario, for long-term care costs.<\/p>\n<h4>RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Government-subsidized nursing home\/long-term care homes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nursing homes or long-term care homes are residential facilities that provide 24-hour nursing care and supervision. They offer higher levels of care than retirement homes and cater to clients who have serious long-term health care needs. They also provide short-stay (respite) services to provide family caregivers a break or to provide the resident with support \u2014 usually following a hospital stay.<\/p>\n<p>Long-term care homes are owned and operated by various organizations including private corporations, or non-profit organization. All applications to long-term care homes are coordinated by the local community care access centre (CCAC). Once the CCAC has conducted an assessment to determine eligibility, the CCAC provides basic information about homes in the area and a client may apply to homes.<\/p>\n<p>Fees for nursing homes are standardized across Ontario and established by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). The<br \/>\nMOHLTC provides funding for homes. The amount paid by residents for their accommodation is called a co-payment. If an individual can\u2019t pay for the basic accommodation, a subsidy is available. The CCAC will assess whether an individual\u2019s income can cover the cost of the nursing home based on their income tax returns. The monthly income of the individual, less $100, is taken to cover the basic accommodation cost and the rest is covered by the provincial government.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Retirement residences (no subsidy):<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A retirement home is a multi-residence facility that provides accommodation and services such as meals and cleaning for older people. Each individual private retirement home has its own admission procedures, waiting lists and fees. Admission usually depends on the client\u2019s ability to pay and absence of serious conditions that require professional nursing care. Generally,<br \/>\nprivate retirement homes have higher fees than government-subsidized nursing homes. <\/p>\n<p>A private room was between $1,329 and $7,750 per month. One bedroom suites were between $2,400 and $9,000 per month.<\/p>\n<h4>HOME CARE<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Government-subsidized home care:<\/strong><br \/>\nHome care services allow seniors to live at home for as long as possible. There are four main categories of Home and Community Support Services:<br \/>\n  \u2022 Visiting health professional services<br \/>\n  \u2022 Personal care and support<br \/>\n  \u2022 Homemaking services<br \/>\n  \u2022 Community support programs<\/p>\n<p>Home care subsidized by the provincial government is administered by local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). The local CCAC will have a case plan around the senior\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Private home care (no subsidy):<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since CCAC resources are limited, many seniors don\u2019t get the care need from CCAC services and have to rely on private home care services.<\/p>\n<p>  \u2022 In-home meal prep ($12 to $29.90 per hour)<br \/>\n  \u2022 Personal care costs ($12 to $30 per hour)<br \/>\n  \u2022 Skilled nursing ($22.85 to $70 per hour)<br \/>\n  \u2022 24-hour live-in care ($18 to $30 per hour)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Adult day care programs:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Adult day care is a program, physically located in the community, to provide the elderly with a group setting during the day when family members aren\u2019t available to care for them. Programs with meal and transportation cost $6 to $35. <\/p>\n<p><em>(Information obtained from Taking Care Inc.)<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<p>LTCi isn\u2019t available through every insurance provider, and different types coverage exist. Plans that I suggest for younger individuals usually have the following, because I believe they are valuable to have. <\/p>\n<p>Income \u2013 style plan is the way to go; why would you want to submit proof of services? <\/p>\n<p>Unlimited Benefit Period \u2013 gives us peace of mind providing access to an unlimited pool of money in case of a prolonged care need.<\/p>\n<p>Inflation protection \u2013 if we are going to be using this benefit for decades we know that inflation can deplete our dollar today.<\/p>\n<p>Service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing unbiased information about local care providers. <\/p>\n<p>LTCi is not something everyone can qualify for, so before going through the underwriting process we should go through some pre-qualifying questions. If that goes well, then we would start the application process.<\/p>\n<p>After completing the application with an insurance broker a nurse may interview you. They gather information about your medical<br \/>\nhistory and carry out cognitive exercises. The nurse may ask about: employment and hobbies; whether you live alone or not; medical details (eg. medications); your memory; or your ability to perform everyday activities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-lists-inline\">\n<h3>Women Play an Important Role<\/h3>\n<p>As you know more and more women are working outside of the home today. Statistics say if women were to become disabled it would drastically impact the finances of the household and the stability of a family. Women in general live longer than men, but are<br \/>\nnot without illness. Arthritis is more likely to effect women than men. Single women are more vulnerable to disability than married women, single men and married men. We can\u2019t assume our children will be able to care for us today or tomorrow, as it naturally happened in the past.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you need care, don\u2019t spend your retirement savings or re-mortgage your home \u2014 let the insurance company pay for it.<br \/>\nTake the time to plan for your future. It is more important than planning a vacation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Long-term care insurance (LTCi) is still in it\u2019s infancy in Canada. I do not think, Insurance Companies and Advisors are doing a very good job marketing it at all. Most of us know what long-term disability insurance (LTDi) is. So I am going to compare them because there are similarities. Basically, they both pay out [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10,1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22\/revisions\/23"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latchmaninsurance.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}