Long Term Care Insurance for California

What is Long Term Care?

Long term care is the care you need if you have an illness or disability that leaves you unable to perform the tasks of daily living for a period of time. It goes beyond medical care and is not covered by health insurance.

While most people who receive long term care are older, a young person who suffers an accident or serious illness may have a need for long term care.

You can receive long term care in a nursing home, in an assisted living facility, or in your own home. It includes home health care, visiting nurses, adult day care, companion care, and respite services for caregivers (such as family members) who need a break.

Download "Facts About Long Term Care"

Long term care includes assistance with activities of daily living, including:

Walking Bathing Dressing Using the bathroom Helping with incontinence Managing Pain Preventing unsafe behavior Preventing wandering Providing comfort and assurance Providing physical or occupational therapy Attending to medical needs	Counseling Feeding Answering the phone Meeting doctors' appointments Providing meals Maintaining the household Shopping and running errands Providing transportation Administering medications Managing money Paying bills	Doing the laundry Attending to personal hygiene Helping with personal grooming Writing letters or notes Making repairs to the home Maintaining a yard Removing snow

The need for long-term care help might be due to a terminal condition, disability, illness, injury or the infirmity of old age. Estimates by experts are that at least 60% of all individuals will need extended help in one or more of the areas above during their lifetime. The need for long-term care may only last for a few weeks or months or it may go on for years. It all depends on the underlying reasons for needing care.

How common is the need for long term care?

• About 20 percent of Americans aged 65 and older suffer some kind of physical impairment.
• 55 percent of people ages 85 and older will require long term care.
• A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that people age 65 face at least a 40 percent lifetime risk of entering a nursing home sometime during their lifetime. About 10 percent will stay there five years or longer.
• The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that 40 percent of the 13 million people receiving long-term care services are between the ages of 18 and 64.

How much does long term care cost?

You can expect to pay at least $50,000 for a nursing home, in some areas the cost is much higher. To see how rates compare in your area check the cost of care map. http://www.longtermcare.gov/LTC/Main_Site/Tools/State_Costs.aspx

• According to the Genworth 2011 Cost of Care Survey, “the median annual rate for a private nursing home room was $77,745.”
• The average monthly fee for an assisted living community is about $2,000.
• A home health aide who comes 3 times a week for 2-3 hours to help with dressing, bathing, meals, and housework can cost easily $1,000 per month or $12,000 per year.

Check the cost of long term care calculator for more information: http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/elder_care/elder_care_cost_finder.html

What about Medicare and Medicaid?

Generally these programs do not cover long term care.

Medicare only covers about 12% of a short term stay in a nursing home following hospitalization. This is limited to 29 days.

In order to qualify for Medicaid, you must spend down your assets to qualify as low-income. If you qualify it only covers about half of nursing home costs.

Call (800) 331-4700 for More Information

Speak to an expert for a FREE, no pressure consultation.