http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog Free news, articles and information about long term care issues Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:54:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I was asked this question recently on Caring.com. It is a common question on the minds of many that I talk with as they are beginning to familiarize themselves with the actual costs of long-term care. Here is the answer I gave: “This is a very good question since the cost of ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=183 The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance suggests the following tips that can help you significantly reduce the cost of insurance coverage. 1. Leverage Your Good Health: Insurers will require you meet certain health qualifications to obtain coverage. Discounts are provided to those in good health and 62 ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=182 Of course, everyone wants to stay as healthy as possible for as long as they can. But the sad truth is that the longer we live due to good health, the more likely we will spend more on our healthcare overall. That’s the conclusion of a a report this week from ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=181 Alzheimer’s is one of the leading causes of long-term care for seniors today. If no effective treatment is found soon the costs associated with this disease will be staggeringly high. A recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News on this subject revealed these details: “Without an effective treatment, the cumulative costs of ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=180 Just recently John Hancock, one of the leading long-term care insurers, has announced a major premium rate increase to new applicants only. I have been asked by many whether this is a good or a bad thing overall, and here are a few thoughts on the subject: The cost of insuring ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=179 Every year Genworth publishes an up-to-date compilation of rates gathered from all fifty states for the cost of home health aides, adult day-care centers, assisted living facilities and nursing facilities. The new version has just been released and is available for download. Its a good practice to use this guide to ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=178 The current economic climate has made saving and preparing for retirement years even more difficult than it was before. But if you also add the uncertainty of the viability of government programs like Medicare and Medicaid to be there if needed to cover a portion of health costs, the picture gets ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=177 No one likes to think of a time in life when they may need constant care, but it happens to millions of us. Unfortunately, most people procrastinate their search for a quality facility until a major illness or disease has occurred that makes a nursing facility necessary. Under these circumstances, it ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=176 It’s not very common to see the issue of long-term care planning raised on network television. But CBS news aired an interview with SmartMoney.com’s Contributing Editor Stephanie AuWerter, who had some very positive things to say about the need for looking ahead and being prepared before these issues arise. Here is ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=175 Finding quality care in a nursing facility can be a real challenge for families who have someone who needs long-term care services and support on a continual basis. The last thing that anyone would want is for their loved ones to languish in a nursing facility where substandard care is being ... http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com/blog/?p=174