Is Long-Term Care Insurance Really that Important?

Sara Faitelson • October 13, 2020

Is Long-Term Care Insurance Really that Important?

Many people have a parent or grandparent they are taking care of. Some of us are in what I like to call “the sandwich generation:” they are taking care of their parents and children. Talk about a lot on your plate. I feel for my sandwich generation clients because they are incredibly stressed out. I do not have to help my mom full time, but she has had over 18 surgeries and there are times where she needs my help. This why this topic is personal to me. 


My mom is young and has had a lot of health problems. A garbage truck ran a red light and hit my dad’s car. The three of us were in the car. My mother sustained over 22 injuries and had to learn to walk again. She has also had cancer twice. It has not been an easy road. That is why I wish she had a long-term care policy before she had 18 surgeries. 

How does one qualify for long term care? You qualify if you cannot do two of six activities of daily living. What are those ADLs? 


• Eating

• Bathing

• Dressing

• Mobility

• Maintaining Continence

• Toileting


You also qualify if you have a severe cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s.


As we can see long-term care is important. The next set of questions many people have is: Can I afford long-term care insurance? What happens if I do not use the benefits? What happens if I move out the country?


In the next blog I will discuss the difference between long term care and life insurance with the chronic illness rider. 


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