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Navigating Long Term Care Insurance for Dementia Patients

Dementia is a progressive, chronic disease that primarily impacts the brain. Most people have heard of dementia (or Alzheimer’s, a specific form of dementia). Unfortunately, dementia is not always the most pleasant topic of conversation–so people tend to avoid talking about it. That can be a problem,

Make Poor Decisions

When LTCI Policyholders Make Poor Decisions

Even the best Long Term Care Insurance policy won’t help you if you don’t let it. Unfortunately, policyholders are sometimes their own worst enemies, making understandable errors that undermine their benefits. Often, these mistakes can be avoided with a little foresight–and it’s yet another good reason to

Moving Later In Life Betsy Phillips

Moving Later in Life? Keep These Points In Mind

This is a guest post from a trusted resource of ours, Betsy Phillips, Realtor® SRES, CSHP. Betsy is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Betsy is with Compass Realty and is based in Glenview, IL. The opinions expressed in this post are Betsy’s alone. We had no input

Start the discussion

How to Start the Discussion with Clients About Long Term Care Planning

It’s hard enough to get people to sit down and plan for their retirement. It’s understandable, then, that the last thing financial planners want to do is talk about long term care planning. But that’s unfortunate. Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) is a powerful tool, and it

long term care insurance specialist

Benefits of Using a Specialist in Long Term Care Insurance

Do you really need a Long Term Care Insurance specialist? After all, you get your auto insurance and homeowner’s insurance through a kind of one-stop shop insurance broker. (Sometimes you even get a bundle deal for getting all your insurance in one place.) Isn’t the logical place

cases

Cases When Policies Are Used Successfully

According to researchers, something like 70% of Americans age 65 and older will require long term care at some point. Which means that the chances of needing long term care at some point in your life are quite high. But it probably doesn’t feel that way when

Long Term Care Insurance Policy

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Long Term Care Insurance Policy

Your health is unique. And that remains true as you age. As a result, long term care is highly individualized, both in terms of the care you need and when you need it. Long term care can quickly become complex–and so too can the Long Term Care

ltci in estate plan

5 Reasons to Include Long Term Care Insurance in Your Estate Planning

Estate planning usually isn’t a favorite topic of conversation. But thinking about the future–and especially what that future might look like as you age–is critically important to ensuring that your end of life and legacy wishes are respected. Making Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) part of those

long term care insurance as an employee benefit

Offering LTCI as an Employee Benefit

When you mention the phrase “employee benefits,” most people think of the standard offerings: vacation, health insurance, sick days–that kind of thing. But lately, more and more firms have started to offer Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) as an employee benefit.  It’s a smart move. LTCI can

IRA assets to purchase LTCI

Is Using IRA Assets to Purchase LTCI Right for You or Your Clients?

As you age, retirement is a concept that moves from very fuzzy and nebulous to concrete and practical–slowly, at first, but then in a big hurry. As your future comes into focus, it’s important to consider the best ways to pay for–and protect–your retirement. Long Term Care

Inflation

Remember Inflation When Estimating Long Term Care Costs

Everyone’s talking about inflation here in 2022. From food prices to energy costs, you’re not alone if your budget doesn’t stretch quite as far as it used to. Knowing how to cope with inflation in long term care costs can help protect your future and stretch your

hybrid long term care insurance policies

A Few Things You Might Not Know About Hybrid LTCI Policies

Hybrid Long Term Care Insurance policies are a consistently popular and exciting product. But as with any type of long term care insurance, it’s worth unpacking the details at the same time you’re inspecting the intriguing and appealing benefits. To be sure, hybrid LTCI offers some substantial

LTCI for your adult kids

Buying Long Term Care Insurance for Your Adult Children

As your adult children continue to age, it’s easy to become more aware of the passage of time. Even when they start having kids of their own, it’s hard not to see them as the baby you welcomed to the world. So, you never stop parenting. You

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A Few Things You Might Not Know About Traditional Long Term Care Insurance

You might think there’s nothing new in traditional Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI). After all, LTCI as a concept has been around since the 1960s. So, you might be surprised to learn that there are probably a few updates and changes you might not be aware of. 

Washington State LTCI mandate

Can Long Term Care Insurance be Publicly Funded?

Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) is designed to provide peace of mind and financial stability. So, on a fundamental level, it makes sense that state and local governments would have an interest in providing LTCI. But the new Washington State LTCI Mandate is raising some interesting questions. 

Pexels Photo 8441811

What Long Term Care Insurance Does Not Cover

When it comes to insurance of any kind, it’s important to know what’s covered and what’s not. That can be especially true when it comes to Long Term Care Insurance. The more you know up front, the better prepared you can be. So it’s important to know

long term care costs

Long Term Care Costs Have Risen Faster Than Inflation and Social Security

We typically think of inflation as something that’s slow and steady–and, therefore, easy to plan around. That’s not the case with long term care costs. Over the last twenty years, long term care costs have risen at a rate faster than some income sources have kept up

Beware Unsolicited Offers From Your Long Term Care Insurance Company

Unsolicited Offers from Your LTCI Company May Not Be in Your Best Interest

When you own a Stand-Alone “Traditional” Long Term Care Insurance policy, it’s important to understand when to consider making changes to the policy. There are benefits and/or consequences that may affect your premium. Therefore, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on how to recognize an Unsolicited

incidental activities of daily living

Incidental ADLs vs ADLs and Your Long Term Care Insurance Policy

Over 70% of all seniors will need long term care during their lifetime. Knowing what your Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) benefit triggers are and how they apply can help you and your family plan for the future.  You probably don’t think in terms of incidental activities

Couples buying long term care

When Couples Buy Long Term Care Insurance Together

Most people are adamant they never want to become a burden on their spouse or family.  Open communication and sound financial planning are key ingredients to navigating a lasting relationship with an eye to the future—in sickness and in health.  That includes making contingency plans for potential

Long Term Care Insurance Policy

Now You Have An LTCI Policy, What’s Next?

After you purchase a Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) policy to help protect yourself, your family and retirement nest egg, you’ll want to follow a few simple steps to help keep yourself organized and keep your family updated! Share Contact Information Make sure you give your Long

Caregivers Self Care

15 Ways Caregivers Need To Take Care of Themselves

From Gordon Associates – we are pleased to post this guest blog from Home Care Assistance, a caregiving agency serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. This blog covers an important topic we’re hearing more and more about. We hope you find it valuable. Watching a parent, family

Types of Care

The 5 Types of Care: What Are The Differences?

From Gordon Associates – we are pleased to post this guest blog from Senior Living Experts. We have referred many clients to them for help finding resources for senior citizens, and we have always been happy with their results. Even though they are based in the Chicagoland

Ready To Buy A Lcti Policy

Three Simple Steps to Purchasing a Long Term Care Insurance Policy

After you decide to purchase a Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) policy and protect you, your family and your retirement nest egg, you will be ready to proceed with the application process. Underwriting guides and standards are getting more restrictive and as a result, the underwriting portion

ltci in your financial planning

Adding Long Term Care Insurance to Financial Planning After You Qualify

Upon qualification, Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) should be considered an important part of a financial plan. LTCI can be thought of as guaranteed income and factored into asset allocation strategies to help provide asset protection, just like any other predictable income stream. After all, Long Term

Evaluating Options To Cover Long Term Care Costs

Evaluating Options to Cover Long Term Care Costs

Long Term Care costs can be very expensive for someone who has a major health problem and needs help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) – bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence and eating. Health insurance and Medicare do not cover this type of chronic care. Often the

Plan For Taxes In Retirement

Using an IRA to Acquire Long Term Care Insurance

If you have a Traditional IRA and/or a Beneficiary IRA, chances are you have plans for the assets. Oftentimes those assets are earmarked to help fund retirement and family legacy. However, an unexpected long term care event can wreck those plans if one is completely self-funding it.  

Preventing Falls In Seniors

Reducing the Risk of Falls for Older Adults

We know it is common for older adults to experience a fall at some point. Unfortunately, it is often unexpected and most families do not have a plan in place when an accident happens. Healthcare providers who work in the aging industry are typically well prepared to

Brian Gordon Guests on the Personal Financial Planning Section Podcast Part 2

In September 2020, Brian Gordon guested on the Personal Financial Planning Section Podcast to discuss a range of issues about Long Term Care Insurance and Long Term Care Planning. This is part 2.

Brian Gordon Guests on the Personal Financial Planning Podcast Part 1

In September 2020, Brian Gordon guested on the Personal Financial Planning Section podcast to discuss a range of issues about Long Term Care Insurance and Long Term Care Planning. This is part 1.

denied long term care insurance claim

How to Ensure You Have a Positive LTCI Claim Experience

Investing in Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) is a smart way to protect your assets and your family from the potential high cost of experiencing a long term care event. When it comes time to submitting a claim, you will want it to be seamless to help

Caring for aging parents during COVID-19

Caring for an Aging Parent during COVID-19

Many baby boomers are now responsible for managing care for an aging parent during the COVID-19 pandemic. While you adjust your own personal life and navigate through this challenging time, there is also a lot to consider when consulting an elderly parent. Often times, they may face

Financial Planning For Long-Term Care

Long Term Care Planning Mitigates Risks in a Future Bear Market

With many clients re-evaluating asset and investment strategies due to unforeseen challenges in 2020, financial planning is now top of mind. Moreover, financial planning for Long Term Care should be considered an essential part of a retirement portfolio.  According to the US Department of Health & Human

Continuing Care Retirement Community

Long Term Care Insurance and CCRCs: How They Work Together

Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) and a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) both appeal to the same type of people: people who want to plan for their future and don’t want to leave things to chance. LTCI and CCRCs address the likely future need for long term

Ltci Elimination Period

5 Ways to Reduce Costs During Your LTCI Elimination Period

Before you can begin collecting benefits under your long term care insurance policy, you must meet your LTCI elimination period, or waiting period. However, because you’re in need of assistance, you’ll need some long term care in the interim—and you’ll need to pay for it out-of-pocket. The

Understanding Medicare’s Long Term Care Benefit

A surprising number of seniors still believe that Medicare will cover all their long term care expenses, according to a study by AARP. But here’s the reality: Medicare offers limited-time long term care coverage that applies only to skilled nursing care. Long term care insurance (LTCI), on the

Hospital Observation Vs Admission

Medicare’s Hospital Observation vs. Admission Rule: The Difference Could Cost You!

While many believe Medicare covers long term care expenses, the reality is, Medicare does not. Medicare offers limited, short-term skilled nursing care coverage. Furthermore, in order to qualify, you must meet specific hospitalization requirements. Many Medicare beneficiaries are hazy on the subject of hospital observation vs. admission

best age to purchase ltci

What’s the Best Age to Purchase LTCI?

When it comes to Long Term Care Insurance, one question we are often asked is “at what age is it best to apply for LTCI?” Many clients wonder if they’re “too young” or “too old” to obtain coverage and there are two schools of thought on this.

Long Term Care Insurance Claim

Dos and Don’ts of Getting a Long Term Care Insurance Claim Approved

Because of the nature of long term care insurance (LTCI), decades may pass between the time a client’s LTCI policy is issued and the time he or she files a claim. However, once LTCI benefits are needed, chances are, they’re needed ASAP. Unfortunately, filing a LTCI claim

key facts long term care insurance

3 Key Facts to Know about Long Term Care Insurance

3 Key Facts to Know about Long Term Care Insurance While many people think they know what Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) is, there are many misconceptions out there. Here, we tackle three key facts to gaining a clearer understanding of LTCI. Fact #1: Medicare Isn’t the

introduction to long-term care insurance

A Brief Introduction to Long Term Care Insurance

You’ve heard about Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI), but do you really know what it is, not to mention if you need it? Here’s a brief intro to Long Term Care Insurance to help you get started. LTCI reimburses policyholders a fixed daily or monthly amount when

More Long Term Care Providers Are Footing Kids with Their Parents’ Bills

A rising number of nursing homes are pursuing the adult children of patients for their parents’ unpaid bills. It’s called filial support litigation, and it’s a growing trend among long term care providers. Thanks to something called filial responsibility laws, the providers often prevail. More than half

What to Do When Your Loved One (or Client) Has an LTCI Claim

Anyone who has filed insurance claims before—whether for home, auto, or health coverage—knows that the process doesn’t always unfold smoothly. So if you are helping someone who has, or may have, a long term care insurance (LTCI) claim, the first thing to do is contact his or

introduction to long-term care insurance

The 2-Minute Introduction to Long Term Care Insurance

The 2-Minute Introduction to Long Term Care Insurance You’ve heard about Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI), but do you really know what it is, not to mention if you need it? LTCI reimburses policyholders a fixed daily or monthly amount when they require assistance with two of

Medicare couple

Long Term Care Insurance: 7 Common Questions Answered

Long Term Care Insurance: 7 Common Questions Answered Once people start to learn about Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI), they often have questions. Here, we answer those we hear most often. What is the underwriting process for LTCI? Whether you’re considering a traditional or asset-based LTC plan,