The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning: Introduction

The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning

NCPC Standard Edition - Return to 4 Steps Book Home Page

Let us look at some facts.
• The population of the "very old,"--older than age 85--is the
fastest growing group in America. This population is at
highest risk for needing care. (Statistical abstract of the United States,
2005 , population)
• Medical science is preventing early sudden deaths, which
means living longer with impaired health and greater risk of
needing long term care.
• The Alzheimer's Association estimates the risk of
Alzheimer's or dementia beyond age 85 to be about 46% of
that population.
• It is estimated that 6 out of 10 people will need long term
care sometime during their lifetime.
• Children are moving far away from parents or parents move
away during retirement making long distance care giving
difficult or impossible.
• Government programs--already stretched thin for long term
care services--will experience even greater stress on
available funds in the future.
Below are some excuses we have heard from people who refuse to
plan for long term care. Some of these objections may seem
perfectly reasonable, but are still excuses and not actually what
happens. In fact, the opposite outcome of these excuses is often the
case.
"I'm in good health and will live a long time, and I won't need it."
"No one in my family has ever needed it."
"My family has a history of early deaths and poor health. I'll die
first."
"Aunt Nellie is 100 years old and doing great." (Forgot to mention
she is in a nursing home)
"I'm a veteran and the VA will take care of me."
"I will have the government pay for it."
"My kids say they will take care of me."
"My daughter is a nurse. She will take care of me."
"I'm too busy right now. I'll do something in the future."
"I'm not worried. When the time comes, I'll deal with it."