As a number of us approach middle age, one sees our parents are rapidly approaching retirement years (). Some need our help, others don't. For adult children who do are in a position where they must provide some sort of emotional, physical and/or financial support for one or both parents, it is probably way past the point where their parents would be able to even consider purchasing what is called Long Term Care products (). For those who like to be proactive, however, you might be wondering exactly what is long term care insurance, and how do we get it?
Long term care insurance is an excellent investment (), no matter what age you are when you buy your policy. Unfortunately, too many of us ignore the fact that we are going to get old someday, and we put off anything to do with forcing us to deal with our own mortality(). Until it's almost too late.
The longer we wait, however, the more expensive it gets, and the fewer options we can have on the policy itself. Finally, when the need arises, we can't do much about it. Most insurance carriers have policies that get pretty prohibitive when it comes to buying coverage after a certain age().
Long term care is probably one of the most affordable types of insurance when you think about what you pay vs. What you get. Policies range from basic care for less a year, to a permanent facility.
The policies can be customized to your needs, or at least, what you think these needs might be. Even though it's impossible to tell the future, you can always get a good idea of what you should add to these policies simply by understanding your family's medical history (). If your family has a history of coronary heart disease in their 50s, you should seriously consider the best possible coverage if at all possible. In reality, you can't afford not to.
Depending on the insurance company will depend of course on your policy now, and what type of add ons and options you are able to buy at later dates. For instance, if your 62 year old husband is in a head on collision and you find that he will need extensive long term care, you may or may not be able to increase your policy to suit the current situation.
In the end, you'll be glad to have this type of coverage whether it's for your parents, or for yourself.
Long term care insurance is an excellent investment (), no matter what age you are when you buy your policy. Unfortunately, too many of us ignore the fact that we are going to get old someday, and we put off anything to do with forcing us to deal with our own mortality(). Until it's almost too late.
The longer we wait, however, the more expensive it gets, and the fewer options we can have on the policy itself. Finally, when the need arises, we can't do much about it. Most insurance carriers have policies that get pretty prohibitive when it comes to buying coverage after a certain age().
Long term care is probably one of the most affordable types of insurance when you think about what you pay vs. What you get. Policies range from basic care for less a year, to a permanent facility.
The policies can be customized to your needs, or at least, what you think these needs might be. Even though it's impossible to tell the future, you can always get a good idea of what you should add to these policies simply by understanding your family's medical history (). If your family has a history of coronary heart disease in their 50s, you should seriously consider the best possible coverage if at all possible. In reality, you can't afford not to.
Depending on the insurance company will depend of course on your policy now, and what type of add ons and options you are able to buy at later dates. For instance, if your 62 year old husband is in a head on collision and you find that he will need extensive long term care, you may or may not be able to increase your policy to suit the current situation.
In the end, you'll be glad to have this type of coverage whether it's for your parents, or for yourself.
