Senior care can be costly, but that doesn’t mean that you need to go broke paying for care expenses.
Many people rely on their insurance policies to cover the costs of care and this can be a big help–but only if the insurance policy covers it in the way that you expect it to. The place to start is with a thorough understanding of what will and won’t be covered by any insurance that you have in place.
Once you know what you already have arranged, planning for what you need becomes the next step. Not all types of care are the same. Not all services will be able to meet your needs in the same way. Do your research, understand what needs you will be facing, and get an idea of what kinds of care can help you to meet those needs.
Finally, know what your expenses are and how to meet them. Senior care costs will vary depending on where you live. Some states and cities are more expensive than others. If you know what you’re facing, you have a much better ability to meet your goals.
According to the Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration on Aging, someone who is 65 or older right now has a 70 percent chance of requiring some sort of long term care. That means that if you or a loved one are at retirement age or older, the odds of needing senior care in the future are very high. You have a better chance of winning a coin flip prediction than you do avoiding senior care.
Of course, planning ahead is the absolute best thing that you can do to improve your likelihood of avoiding care. Staying in good shape through exercise, healthy diet, and managing pre-existing conditions adequately all play a big role in staying healthy as you age. Preparing financially well ahead of time is also a vital ingredient when it comes to success here.
Not everyone has the ability to do this, though. And many that want to prepare simply don’t have the time necessary to do it well. One of the most frustrating aspects of care is that it can come on suddenly. An accident, a medical event, or an unexpected illness can make the need for senior care an emergency situation.
Regardless of where you are in your search, please know that we’re here for you. If you’re just starting the search and don’t think care will be needed for a few years–please give us a call. If you’re well into your search or even thinking of transferring a loved one from one type of care to another–give us a call for this, too. Our trained care professionals will be happy to help you and get you pointed in the right direction.
If you have a couple questions, we can get those answered on the phone or by email. If your situation is a bit more complex, our free consultation service might be best for you. Either way, get in touch today to start the conversation and make sure that your older loved one has the care, support, and love that they need to thrive as they age.
Senior care should be approachable and affordable to all. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to help you get started.
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