Photo via Pixabay by Almadrava | Article by Guest Author June Duncan
How To Plan For And Anticipate Your Long-Term Care Needs
Planning for and anticipating what your long-term care needs will be isn’t easy; no one knows what their health will be like five or 10 years from now. It can be stressful to try and figure out the best ways to save and prepare for the costs you can incur because of medical procedures and medicine. Ensuring that you are financially stable enough to handle anything that comes your way will give you peace of mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
One of the best ways to start planning is to think about your current lifestyle; are there any changes you can make that will prevent issues down the line? For instance, if you’re a smoker, consider quitting now to avoid having medical problems as you get older. Think, also, about your family history. If you have family members who have battled cancer or diabetes, think about what you can do now to prevent those issues from affecting you.
Keep reading for some tips on how to get started.
Review Your Insurance
Seniors should consider supplemental health care such as Humana Medicare Advantage plans. The plans provide the same coverage as Medicare Parts A and B and some plans offer additional benefits for prescriptions, dental, vision, fitness services, caregiver support and a 24/7 nursing advice line. These plans can offset the costs of long-term care and bring you some financial relief.
Additionally, some life insurance policies will help you pay for long-term care, but the costs of these policies vary greatly depending on certain factors, as will the amount of your premiums. Taking advantage of these benefits can have an effect on the amount of a life insurance payout, however, so it’s important to get familiar with the details.
Prepare Your Home
Preparing your home is an important part of planning for your future. Many seniors have health or mobility issues that require home modifications, such as ramp installations, doorway widening, or the installation of curbless showers that will prevent a nasty fall. You can also start thinking about preparing a living will, which will ensure that your wishes are carried out and your family taken care of in the event that you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or are incapacitated.
Do Your Homework
Doing some research on your family history can be hugely helpful when it comes to planning for your possible long-term care. Think about the best ways to prevent those same issues from affecting you, and consider your current lifestyle. You may want to consider changing your diet, replacing bad habits with good ones, and getting daily exercise in order to put your health on the front line.
Think About the Financial End
Figuring out how you’re going to pay for long-term care is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in regards to your health. It’s necessary to take a second look at health or life insurance plans to see what benefits they might offer as you work toward the final years of your career.
Practice self-care
Practicing self-care is a wonderful way to start planning for your future needs, since taking care of yourself is the best way to ensure that you can stay in your own home for as long as possible. Start by getting daily exercise, eating well-balanced meals and reducing stress as much as you can. Talk to your loved ones about your needs, so they can help out when you need it.
Planning for the future can be difficult, but it’s the best way to ensure that you’ll be safe and comfortable should you need long-term care due to illness or disease. With the right preparations, you can give yourself peace of mind.
June Duncan is the co-creator of Rise Up for Caregivers, which offers support for family members and friends who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. She is author of the upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Caregiving: A Daily Companion for New Senior Caregivers. Click on the link or image below to get notified when the book is released:
