HCAD 635 DISCUSSIONS
Weeki1
Leti usi begini byi exploringi thei “bigi picture”i viewi ofi Longi Termi Carei (LTC).i Seventyi percenti
ofi peoplei 65i andi overi willi needi somei formi ofi LTCi servicei duringi theiri lifetimes.i Takei somei
timei toi reviewi thesei twoi sitesi listedi ini thei classi schedule:i Genworthi 2019i Costi ofi Carei andi
2019i Alzheimer'si Associationi Factsi andi Figures.
Whati arei youri initiali impressions?i Discussi whyi understandingi LTCi isi ani importanti aspecti ofi
healthcarei leadership.i Supporti youri opinionsi withi validi references
Ii wasi surprisedi toi learni thati thei sheeri numberi ofi eldersi whoi willi requirei LTCi ini thei neari
future.i Accordingi toi Genworth,i everyi singlei dayi 10,000i babyi boomersi turni 65i andi ofi thosei 70i
percenti willi requirei somei formi ofi longi termi carei (2020).i Eveni morei surprising,i wasi thei
estimatedi costsi thati thosei eldersi andi theiri familiesi wouldi havei toi payi toi receivei
necessaryi care.i Genworthi estimatesi thati familiesi wouldi havei toi payi approximatelyi
$1,625/monthi fori adulti dayi carei alli thei wayi upi toi $8,517i fori ai privatei roomi ini ai nursingi home.i
In-placei servicesi likei homemakeri servicesi andi homei healthi aidsi werei pricedi ini thei middlei
ofi thesei twoi at
$4.3Ki fori thosei interestedi ini thosei services.i Therei certainlyi seemsi toi bei ani optioni fori everyi
situationi whetheri ai familyi justi needsi assistancei duringi thei dayi whilei theyi arei awayi ati work,i
wouldi likei theiri elderi toi agei ini placei withi somei assistancei ori ifi ai fulli oni nursingi homei isi
neededi toi adequatelyi carei fori thei patient.i Whilei therei arei optionsi available,i theyi doi seemi thati
somei ofi thesei optionsi couldi provei toi bei tooi expensivei fori somei familiesi toi realisticallyi afford,i
whichi couldi leadi toi familiesi decidingi toi carei fori theiri elderi oni theiri own,i whetheri ori noti thati
decisioni isi whati isi besti fori thei particulari situationi ati hand.
Asi babyi boomersi begini toi agei intoi seniori citizenship,i theyi willi begini toi placei ani
unprecedentedi straini oni thei healthcarei systemi asi ai whole.i Healthcarei leadersi regardlessi
ofi theiri specializationi willi begini toi feeli thei impacti ofi thei agingi populationi asi thei babyi boomersi
accounti fori 73i millioni peoplei andi wheni coupledi withi decliningi birthi ratesi (measuredi ati
1.7i peri womani vsi thei requiredi 2.1i neededi toi replacei thei population)i andi increasedi lifei
expectancyi (measuredi ati approximatelyi 84)i havei effectivelyi projectedi olderi adultsi toi outnumberi
childreni 18i andi underi byi 2034i (Census,i 2019).i Researchersi havei statedi concernsi thati thei oldi
outnumberingi thei youngi couldi havei drastici complicationsi fori noti onlyi thei babyi boomersi whoi
arei placingi unprecedentedi straini oni ani alreadyi fragilei healthcarei system,i buti futurei
generationsi asi welli (Census,i 2019).i Wheni youngeri generationsi comei ofi age,i therei willi noti bei
enoughi youngi toi carei fori themi ini theiri timei ofi needi andi thati fori manyi thei challengei ofi
providingi carei willi falli toi thei healthcarei organizationsi (Census,i 2019).i Healthi carei
leadersi whoi havei ani understandingi ofi thei agingi processi andi thei needsi ofi thei elderlyi willi bei ablei
toi betteri fortifyi theiri organizationsi againsti noti onlyi thei upcomingi wavei ofi babyi boomers,i
buti alsoi ensurei thei readinessi ofi theiri organizationsi fori futurei seniori carei needs.i Additionally,i
healthcarei leadersi whoi fullyi understandi LTCi andi thei detailsi thati separatei iti fromi generali
hospitali care,i cani alsoi takei stepsi toi makei thei servicei morei accessiblei toi ai largeri sectori ofi thei
population,i thusi ensuringi thati morei peoplei whoi requirei carei cani feasiblyi bei grantedi accessi
toi it.
,Census.i (2019,i Decemberi 10).i Byi 2030,iAlli Babyi Boomersi Willi BeiAgei 65i ori Older.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/12/by-2030-all-baby-boomers-will-be-age-65-or-i
older.html
Genworth.i (2020,i Marchi 30).i Costi ofi Longi Termi Carei byi State:i 2019i Costi ofi Carei Report.
Retrievedi fromi https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
Weeki2.1
Afteri ai fulfillingi careeri ini thei militaryi andi lateri asi civiliani healthcarei professionals,i Bobi andi
Maryi happilyi retiredi ati thei ripei agei ofi 65.i Theyi spenti thei nexti decadei travelingi andi workingi parti
time.iAfteri Mary’si 78thi bithrday,i Bobi begani toi noticei Maryi wasi falteringi cognitivelyi andi thei twoi
decidedi toi havei heri testedi byi ai physician.i Thei testi resultsi markedi ai cleari dedgrationi ofi heri
languagei skillsi andi mentali abilities,i thei signsi ofiAlzheimer’si disease.i Bobi decidedi thati hei wouldi
carei fori heri ati homei andi bei heri solei caretaker.iAfteri fivei years,i heri familyi noticedi thati Maryi wasi
actingi markedlyi different,i especiallyi afteri thei suni wenti down.i Maryi wasi testedi oncei againi andi
wasi foundi toi havei sundownersi syndrome.i Bobi struggledi toi carei fori Maryi asi hei wasi dealingi withi
hisi owni physicali issuesi andi neededi helpi himself.i Unfortunately,i thei couplei hadi spenti alli ofi theiri
savingsi andi hadi noi assetsi toi helpi payi fori theiri care.i Theiri childreni offeredi toi stepi ini andi offeri
assistancei ini anyi wayi possible,i buti thei familyi agreedi thati ai homei wouldi bei thei besti situationi fori
bothi Maryi andi Bobi ati thisi pointi ini time.i Overall,i thei familyi musti makei ai choicei thati noti onlyi
providesi thei mosti completei carei fori Bobi andi Mary,i buti onei thati alsoi makei economici sensei asi
well.
LTCiOptions
Thei familyi hasi severali optionsi ati theiri disposali thati cani helpi geti Bobi andi Maryi intoi ai LTCi
facility.i Somei optionsi thati thei familyi cani choosei fromi arei ai nursingi homei thati specializesi ini
Alzheimer’si fori Maryi andi hasi optionsi fori generali carei fori Bob,i ani assistedi livingi situationi thati
providesi carei toi thei couplei duringi thei dayi andi optionsi fori oversighti ati night.i Thanksi toi theiri
militaryi servicei theyi arei alsoi eligiblei fori VAibenefitsi thati includei bothi homei primaryi carei andi
outpatient/inpatienti dementiai carei programsi (VA,i 2020).
Eachi ofi thesei optionsi comesi withi uniquei requirementi thati thei couplei wouldi havei toi meeti priori toi
beingi acceptedi intoi thei carei facility.i Nursingi homesi wouldi requirei ai physiciansi orderi fori thei
couplei toi obtaini admissioni (Hoyt,i 2018).i Bothi Bobi andi Maryi havei validi reasonsi asi oi whyi theyi
wouldi needi nursingi homei leveli carei andi asi suchi theyi shouldi noti runi intoi anyi issuesi withi gettingi
approval.i Assistedi livingi facilitiesi onlyi requirei thati personsi bei overi thei agei ofi 18i andi requirei
assistancei withi activitiesi ofi dailyi livingi likei personali care,i hygiene,i mobilityi andi medicationi
management.i Oncei again,i thei couplei qualifiesi fori thisi assistancei andi wouldi bei seeni asi primei
candidatesi fori assistedi livingi servicesi (Hoyt,i 2018).i Lastly,i toi bei deemedi eligiblei fori VAi
services,i Bobi andi Maryi musti bei signedi upi fori VAi healthcarei andi havei theiri conditionsi verifiedi byi
ai VAiphysiciani (VA,i 2020).i Thisi requirementi isi simplei thoughi iti mayi takei timei thani Bobi andi
Maryi havei toi bei seeni byi ai VAi physiciani dependingi oni theiri area.
, Paymenti methods
Findingi fundingi willi bei keyi fori thei couplei asi theiri currenti reservesi ofi cashi andi assetsi havei beeni
depleted.i Somei fundingi optionsi thati cani bei exploredi arei Medicaid,i VAibenefits,i Familyi funding,i
Non-medicaidi assistancei programs,i thei PACEi program,i andi Familyi funding.i Medicaidi isi
generallyi ai greati starti fori Bobi andi Maryi asi willi likelyi bei bothi eligiblei asi theiri medicali costsi arei
steadilyi risingi andi theiri retirementi fundsi havei ceasedi toi exist.i Ini recenti years,i statei programsi
havei becomei thei largesti publici funderi ofi LTCi optionsi andi willi coveri ai greati deali ofi thei costsi
associatedi withi findingi LTCi placementi fori Bobi andi Maryi (HHS,i 2017).iWhilei thei programi doesi
offeri significanti relief,i mosti willi requirei co-paysi thati thei childreni willi likelyi havei toi payi
(Stringfellow,i 2018).
Ifi thei familyi decidesi toi exercisei Bobi andi Mary’si VAibenefit,i muchi likei Medicaidi thei VAicani
coveri ai largei portioni ofi thei bill,i buti theyi mayi alsoi aski thei familyi toi coveri ai residuali amounti (VA,i
2020).
Manyi statesi likei alsoi offeri non-Medicaidi assistancei programsi thati helpi thosei ini needi payi fori theiri
LTCi care.i Onei suchi statei programi originatesi iniTexasi andi isi knowni asi thei Communityi Carei fori
Aged/Disabledi (CCAD).i Thisi programi specializesi ini findingi familiesi whoi arei seekingi loweri costi
LTCi optionsi specificallyi fori thosei whoi havei lowi incomei ori noi incomei (Stringfellow,i 2018).i Thisi
optioni cani helpi toi providei thei besti ofi bothi worlds,i givei thei parentsi ai safei licensedi placei toi stayi
andi protecti thei childreni fromi experiencingi potentiali financiali problemsi withi findingi carei ini thei
future.
Ani additionali optioni thati thei familyi couldi leveragei isi thei PACEi program.i Thei Programi paysi fori
alli costsi associatedi withi longi termi carei treatmenti toi includei buti noti limitedi toi adulti dayi care,i
hospitali care,i meals,i nursingi homei care,i prescriptioni drugs,i andi otheri itemsi deemedi medicallyi
necessaryi (Medicaid,i n.d).Thei onlyi catchi withi thisi programi isi thati thei participantsi musti residei ini
onei ofi thei 37i statesi thati currentlyi offersi thei programi (PACE,i 2019).
Lastly,i ifi nonei ofi thei abovei optionsi worki out,i thei familyi couldi decidei toi selfi fundi andi havei thei
childreni payi thei totali costi ofi care.i Havingi theiri familyi payi completelyi fori theiri carei couldi causei
instabilityi fori Bobi andi Mary’si childreni whoi couldi incuri anythingi fromi $1,625/monthi fori adulti
dayi carei alli thei wayi upi toi $8,517i fori ai privatei roomi ini ai nursingi homei (Genworth,i 2020).i Ifi theiri
childreni cannoti feasiblyi supporti thisi paymenti noti onlyi wouldi thei childreni bei placingi theiri currenti
lifestylei ati risk,i buti theyi couldi alsoi casti Bobi andi Mary’si futurei intoi uncertaintyi ifi theyi arei unablei
toi payi andi losei theiri LTC.i Thisi couldi causei thei familyi toi changei theiri plansi andi requirei onei ori
bothi childreni toi becomei parti time/fulli timei caretakers.
Preventativei Planning
Thoughi thei casei ofi Bobi andi Maryi arei trulyi unfortunate,i theiri situationi couldi havei beeni handledi
differentlyi andi iti wouldi havei likelyi endedi withi ai differenti outcome.i First,i priori toi retirementi thei
couplei shouldi havei investedi intoi ai longi termi carei insurancei policy.i LTCi insurancei isi ai policyi
thati coversi ai hosti ofi servicesi thati arei noti coveredi byi healthi insurancei toi includei assistancei withi
dailyi activitiesi asi welli asi thei costsi ofi carei thati stemi fromi chronici medicali conditionsi likei
Alzheimer’si diseasei (Marquand,i 2019).i Thisi isi greati insurancei thati offersi beneficiariesi
protectioni againsti thei costsi ofi nursingi homes,i adulti dayi carei centers,i assistedi living.i Secondly,i
morei carefuli investingi andi savingi fori emergencyi carei wouldi havei helpedi themi toi bridgei thei gap
, longeri andi giveni themi morei ofi ai cushioni ini thei eventi ofi ai medicali emergency.i Thei additionali
savingsi wouldi havei allowedi themi morei flexibilityi ini theiri choicesi ofi carei facilitiesi versusi
onlyi relyingi oni whati theiri childreni wouldi bei ablei toi provide.i Lastly,i thei couplei couldi havei
purchasedi ai Medicarei parti Di plani thati coversi medicationi relatedi costsi andi offersi freei annuali
physicali examsi thati testi fori cognitivei impairment.i Thisi entitlementi couldi havei helpedi toi
detecti Mary’si degenerativei conditioni earlieri andi allowedi Bobi andi Maryi morei timei toi plani
theiri futurei asi welli asi helpedi Bobi affordi Mary’si medicationi (Stringfellow,i 2018).
Conclusions
Ii havei learnedi fromi Bobi andi Maryi thati appropriatei planningi fori possiblei long-termi carei isi vitali
ifi onei shouldi everi needi it.i Thei primaryi thingsi thati individualsi cani doi toi preparei themselvesi fori
thisi situationi isi toi purchasei LTCi insurancei andi schedulei regulari checkupsi toi exami cognitivei andi
physicali functions.i LTCi insurancei isi vitali asi iti willi safeguardi thei beneficiaryi fromi thei increasedi
costsi ofi carei andi allowi familyi memberi toi focusi oni caringi fori thei member(s)i ratheri thani worryingi
abouti howi theyi willi ori cani payi fori thei upcomingi monthsi ofi care.iAdditionally,i regulari checki upsi
willi allowi diseasei andi otheri impairingi conditionsi toi bei caughti earlieri allowingi thei patienti morei
opportunitiesi fori treatmenti ori preparation.
Genworth.i (2020,i Marchi 30).i Costi ofi Longi Termi Carei byi State:i 2019i Costi ofi Carei Report.
Retrievedi fromi https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
HHS.i (2017,i Octoberi 10).i Medicaidi Eligibility.i Retrievedi fromi
https://longtermcare.acl.gov/medicare-medicaid-more/medicaid/medicaid-eligibility/
Hoyt,i J.i (2018,i Septemberi 12).i Elderi Carei Criteriai &i Seniori LivingiAdmissions.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.seniorliving.org/care/admissions-criteria/
Marquand,i B.i (2019,i Mayi 28).i Long-Termi Carei Insurancei Explained.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/long-term-care-insurance/
Medicaid.i (n.d.).i Programsi ofi All-Inclusivei Carei fori thei Elderlyi Benefits.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/pace/programs-all-inclusive-i
care-elderly-benefits/index.html
PACE.i(2020,iAprili30).iPACEiPrograms.iRetrievedi fromihttps://pacenation.org/pace-programs/
Weeki1
Leti usi begini byi exploringi thei “bigi picture”i viewi ofi Longi Termi Carei (LTC).i Seventyi percenti
ofi peoplei 65i andi overi willi needi somei formi ofi LTCi servicei duringi theiri lifetimes.i Takei somei
timei toi reviewi thesei twoi sitesi listedi ini thei classi schedule:i Genworthi 2019i Costi ofi Carei andi
2019i Alzheimer'si Associationi Factsi andi Figures.
Whati arei youri initiali impressions?i Discussi whyi understandingi LTCi isi ani importanti aspecti ofi
healthcarei leadership.i Supporti youri opinionsi withi validi references
Ii wasi surprisedi toi learni thati thei sheeri numberi ofi eldersi whoi willi requirei LTCi ini thei neari
future.i Accordingi toi Genworth,i everyi singlei dayi 10,000i babyi boomersi turni 65i andi ofi thosei 70i
percenti willi requirei somei formi ofi longi termi carei (2020).i Eveni morei surprising,i wasi thei
estimatedi costsi thati thosei eldersi andi theiri familiesi wouldi havei toi payi toi receivei
necessaryi care.i Genworthi estimatesi thati familiesi wouldi havei toi payi approximatelyi
$1,625/monthi fori adulti dayi carei alli thei wayi upi toi $8,517i fori ai privatei roomi ini ai nursingi home.i
In-placei servicesi likei homemakeri servicesi andi homei healthi aidsi werei pricedi ini thei middlei
ofi thesei twoi at
$4.3Ki fori thosei interestedi ini thosei services.i Therei certainlyi seemsi toi bei ani optioni fori everyi
situationi whetheri ai familyi justi needsi assistancei duringi thei dayi whilei theyi arei awayi ati work,i
wouldi likei theiri elderi toi agei ini placei withi somei assistancei ori ifi ai fulli oni nursingi homei isi
neededi toi adequatelyi carei fori thei patient.i Whilei therei arei optionsi available,i theyi doi seemi thati
somei ofi thesei optionsi couldi provei toi bei tooi expensivei fori somei familiesi toi realisticallyi afford,i
whichi couldi leadi toi familiesi decidingi toi carei fori theiri elderi oni theiri own,i whetheri ori noti thati
decisioni isi whati isi besti fori thei particulari situationi ati hand.
Asi babyi boomersi begini toi agei intoi seniori citizenship,i theyi willi begini toi placei ani
unprecedentedi straini oni thei healthcarei systemi asi ai whole.i Healthcarei leadersi regardlessi
ofi theiri specializationi willi begini toi feeli thei impacti ofi thei agingi populationi asi thei babyi boomersi
accounti fori 73i millioni peoplei andi wheni coupledi withi decliningi birthi ratesi (measuredi ati
1.7i peri womani vsi thei requiredi 2.1i neededi toi replacei thei population)i andi increasedi lifei
expectancyi (measuredi ati approximatelyi 84)i havei effectivelyi projectedi olderi adultsi toi outnumberi
childreni 18i andi underi byi 2034i (Census,i 2019).i Researchersi havei statedi concernsi thati thei oldi
outnumberingi thei youngi couldi havei drastici complicationsi fori noti onlyi thei babyi boomersi whoi
arei placingi unprecedentedi straini oni ani alreadyi fragilei healthcarei system,i buti futurei
generationsi asi welli (Census,i 2019).i Wheni youngeri generationsi comei ofi age,i therei willi noti bei
enoughi youngi toi carei fori themi ini theiri timei ofi needi andi thati fori manyi thei challengei ofi
providingi carei willi falli toi thei healthcarei organizationsi (Census,i 2019).i Healthi carei
leadersi whoi havei ani understandingi ofi thei agingi processi andi thei needsi ofi thei elderlyi willi bei ablei
toi betteri fortifyi theiri organizationsi againsti noti onlyi thei upcomingi wavei ofi babyi boomers,i
buti alsoi ensurei thei readinessi ofi theiri organizationsi fori futurei seniori carei needs.i Additionally,i
healthcarei leadersi whoi fullyi understandi LTCi andi thei detailsi thati separatei iti fromi generali
hospitali care,i cani alsoi takei stepsi toi makei thei servicei morei accessiblei toi ai largeri sectori ofi thei
population,i thusi ensuringi thati morei peoplei whoi requirei carei cani feasiblyi bei grantedi accessi
toi it.
,Census.i (2019,i Decemberi 10).i Byi 2030,iAlli Babyi Boomersi Willi BeiAgei 65i ori Older.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/12/by-2030-all-baby-boomers-will-be-age-65-or-i
older.html
Genworth.i (2020,i Marchi 30).i Costi ofi Longi Termi Carei byi State:i 2019i Costi ofi Carei Report.
Retrievedi fromi https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
Weeki2.1
Afteri ai fulfillingi careeri ini thei militaryi andi lateri asi civiliani healthcarei professionals,i Bobi andi
Maryi happilyi retiredi ati thei ripei agei ofi 65.i Theyi spenti thei nexti decadei travelingi andi workingi parti
time.iAfteri Mary’si 78thi bithrday,i Bobi begani toi noticei Maryi wasi falteringi cognitivelyi andi thei twoi
decidedi toi havei heri testedi byi ai physician.i Thei testi resultsi markedi ai cleari dedgrationi ofi heri
languagei skillsi andi mentali abilities,i thei signsi ofiAlzheimer’si disease.i Bobi decidedi thati hei wouldi
carei fori heri ati homei andi bei heri solei caretaker.iAfteri fivei years,i heri familyi noticedi thati Maryi wasi
actingi markedlyi different,i especiallyi afteri thei suni wenti down.i Maryi wasi testedi oncei againi andi
wasi foundi toi havei sundownersi syndrome.i Bobi struggledi toi carei fori Maryi asi hei wasi dealingi withi
hisi owni physicali issuesi andi neededi helpi himself.i Unfortunately,i thei couplei hadi spenti alli ofi theiri
savingsi andi hadi noi assetsi toi helpi payi fori theiri care.i Theiri childreni offeredi toi stepi ini andi offeri
assistancei ini anyi wayi possible,i buti thei familyi agreedi thati ai homei wouldi bei thei besti situationi fori
bothi Maryi andi Bobi ati thisi pointi ini time.i Overall,i thei familyi musti makei ai choicei thati noti onlyi
providesi thei mosti completei carei fori Bobi andi Mary,i buti onei thati alsoi makei economici sensei asi
well.
LTCiOptions
Thei familyi hasi severali optionsi ati theiri disposali thati cani helpi geti Bobi andi Maryi intoi ai LTCi
facility.i Somei optionsi thati thei familyi cani choosei fromi arei ai nursingi homei thati specializesi ini
Alzheimer’si fori Maryi andi hasi optionsi fori generali carei fori Bob,i ani assistedi livingi situationi thati
providesi carei toi thei couplei duringi thei dayi andi optionsi fori oversighti ati night.i Thanksi toi theiri
militaryi servicei theyi arei alsoi eligiblei fori VAibenefitsi thati includei bothi homei primaryi carei andi
outpatient/inpatienti dementiai carei programsi (VA,i 2020).
Eachi ofi thesei optionsi comesi withi uniquei requirementi thati thei couplei wouldi havei toi meeti priori toi
beingi acceptedi intoi thei carei facility.i Nursingi homesi wouldi requirei ai physiciansi orderi fori thei
couplei toi obtaini admissioni (Hoyt,i 2018).i Bothi Bobi andi Maryi havei validi reasonsi asi oi whyi theyi
wouldi needi nursingi homei leveli carei andi asi suchi theyi shouldi noti runi intoi anyi issuesi withi gettingi
approval.i Assistedi livingi facilitiesi onlyi requirei thati personsi bei overi thei agei ofi 18i andi requirei
assistancei withi activitiesi ofi dailyi livingi likei personali care,i hygiene,i mobilityi andi medicationi
management.i Oncei again,i thei couplei qualifiesi fori thisi assistancei andi wouldi bei seeni asi primei
candidatesi fori assistedi livingi servicesi (Hoyt,i 2018).i Lastly,i toi bei deemedi eligiblei fori VAi
services,i Bobi andi Maryi musti bei signedi upi fori VAi healthcarei andi havei theiri conditionsi verifiedi byi
ai VAiphysiciani (VA,i 2020).i Thisi requirementi isi simplei thoughi iti mayi takei timei thani Bobi andi
Maryi havei toi bei seeni byi ai VAi physiciani dependingi oni theiri area.
, Paymenti methods
Findingi fundingi willi bei keyi fori thei couplei asi theiri currenti reservesi ofi cashi andi assetsi havei beeni
depleted.i Somei fundingi optionsi thati cani bei exploredi arei Medicaid,i VAibenefits,i Familyi funding,i
Non-medicaidi assistancei programs,i thei PACEi program,i andi Familyi funding.i Medicaidi isi
generallyi ai greati starti fori Bobi andi Maryi asi willi likelyi bei bothi eligiblei asi theiri medicali costsi arei
steadilyi risingi andi theiri retirementi fundsi havei ceasedi toi exist.i Ini recenti years,i statei programsi
havei becomei thei largesti publici funderi ofi LTCi optionsi andi willi coveri ai greati deali ofi thei costsi
associatedi withi findingi LTCi placementi fori Bobi andi Maryi (HHS,i 2017).iWhilei thei programi doesi
offeri significanti relief,i mosti willi requirei co-paysi thati thei childreni willi likelyi havei toi payi
(Stringfellow,i 2018).
Ifi thei familyi decidesi toi exercisei Bobi andi Mary’si VAibenefit,i muchi likei Medicaidi thei VAicani
coveri ai largei portioni ofi thei bill,i buti theyi mayi alsoi aski thei familyi toi coveri ai residuali amounti (VA,i
2020).
Manyi statesi likei alsoi offeri non-Medicaidi assistancei programsi thati helpi thosei ini needi payi fori theiri
LTCi care.i Onei suchi statei programi originatesi iniTexasi andi isi knowni asi thei Communityi Carei fori
Aged/Disabledi (CCAD).i Thisi programi specializesi ini findingi familiesi whoi arei seekingi loweri costi
LTCi optionsi specificallyi fori thosei whoi havei lowi incomei ori noi incomei (Stringfellow,i 2018).i Thisi
optioni cani helpi toi providei thei besti ofi bothi worlds,i givei thei parentsi ai safei licensedi placei toi stayi
andi protecti thei childreni fromi experiencingi potentiali financiali problemsi withi findingi carei ini thei
future.
Ani additionali optioni thati thei familyi couldi leveragei isi thei PACEi program.i Thei Programi paysi fori
alli costsi associatedi withi longi termi carei treatmenti toi includei buti noti limitedi toi adulti dayi care,i
hospitali care,i meals,i nursingi homei care,i prescriptioni drugs,i andi otheri itemsi deemedi medicallyi
necessaryi (Medicaid,i n.d).Thei onlyi catchi withi thisi programi isi thati thei participantsi musti residei ini
onei ofi thei 37i statesi thati currentlyi offersi thei programi (PACE,i 2019).
Lastly,i ifi nonei ofi thei abovei optionsi worki out,i thei familyi couldi decidei toi selfi fundi andi havei thei
childreni payi thei totali costi ofi care.i Havingi theiri familyi payi completelyi fori theiri carei couldi causei
instabilityi fori Bobi andi Mary’si childreni whoi couldi incuri anythingi fromi $1,625/monthi fori adulti
dayi carei alli thei wayi upi toi $8,517i fori ai privatei roomi ini ai nursingi homei (Genworth,i 2020).i Ifi theiri
childreni cannoti feasiblyi supporti thisi paymenti noti onlyi wouldi thei childreni bei placingi theiri currenti
lifestylei ati risk,i buti theyi couldi alsoi casti Bobi andi Mary’si futurei intoi uncertaintyi ifi theyi arei unablei
toi payi andi losei theiri LTC.i Thisi couldi causei thei familyi toi changei theiri plansi andi requirei onei ori
bothi childreni toi becomei parti time/fulli timei caretakers.
Preventativei Planning
Thoughi thei casei ofi Bobi andi Maryi arei trulyi unfortunate,i theiri situationi couldi havei beeni handledi
differentlyi andi iti wouldi havei likelyi endedi withi ai differenti outcome.i First,i priori toi retirementi thei
couplei shouldi havei investedi intoi ai longi termi carei insurancei policy.i LTCi insurancei isi ai policyi
thati coversi ai hosti ofi servicesi thati arei noti coveredi byi healthi insurancei toi includei assistancei withi
dailyi activitiesi asi welli asi thei costsi ofi carei thati stemi fromi chronici medicali conditionsi likei
Alzheimer’si diseasei (Marquand,i 2019).i Thisi isi greati insurancei thati offersi beneficiariesi
protectioni againsti thei costsi ofi nursingi homes,i adulti dayi carei centers,i assistedi living.i Secondly,i
morei carefuli investingi andi savingi fori emergencyi carei wouldi havei helpedi themi toi bridgei thei gap
, longeri andi giveni themi morei ofi ai cushioni ini thei eventi ofi ai medicali emergency.i Thei additionali
savingsi wouldi havei allowedi themi morei flexibilityi ini theiri choicesi ofi carei facilitiesi versusi
onlyi relyingi oni whati theiri childreni wouldi bei ablei toi provide.i Lastly,i thei couplei couldi havei
purchasedi ai Medicarei parti Di plani thati coversi medicationi relatedi costsi andi offersi freei annuali
physicali examsi thati testi fori cognitivei impairment.i Thisi entitlementi couldi havei helpedi toi
detecti Mary’si degenerativei conditioni earlieri andi allowedi Bobi andi Maryi morei timei toi plani
theiri futurei asi welli asi helpedi Bobi affordi Mary’si medicationi (Stringfellow,i 2018).
Conclusions
Ii havei learnedi fromi Bobi andi Maryi thati appropriatei planningi fori possiblei long-termi carei isi vitali
ifi onei shouldi everi needi it.i Thei primaryi thingsi thati individualsi cani doi toi preparei themselvesi fori
thisi situationi isi toi purchasei LTCi insurancei andi schedulei regulari checkupsi toi exami cognitivei andi
physicali functions.i LTCi insurancei isi vitali asi iti willi safeguardi thei beneficiaryi fromi thei increasedi
costsi ofi carei andi allowi familyi memberi toi focusi oni caringi fori thei member(s)i ratheri thani worryingi
abouti howi theyi willi ori cani payi fori thei upcomingi monthsi ofi care.iAdditionally,i regulari checki upsi
willi allowi diseasei andi otheri impairingi conditionsi toi bei caughti earlieri allowingi thei patienti morei
opportunitiesi fori treatmenti ori preparation.
Genworth.i (2020,i Marchi 30).i Costi ofi Longi Termi Carei byi State:i 2019i Costi ofi Carei Report.
Retrievedi fromi https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
HHS.i (2017,i Octoberi 10).i Medicaidi Eligibility.i Retrievedi fromi
https://longtermcare.acl.gov/medicare-medicaid-more/medicaid/medicaid-eligibility/
Hoyt,i J.i (2018,i Septemberi 12).i Elderi Carei Criteriai &i Seniori LivingiAdmissions.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.seniorliving.org/care/admissions-criteria/
Marquand,i B.i (2019,i Mayi 28).i Long-Termi Carei Insurancei Explained.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/long-term-care-insurance/
Medicaid.i (n.d.).i Programsi ofi All-Inclusivei Carei fori thei Elderlyi Benefits.i Retrievedi fromi
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/pace/programs-all-inclusive-i
care-elderly-benefits/index.html
PACE.i(2020,iAprili30).iPACEiPrograms.iRetrievedi fromihttps://pacenation.org/pace-programs/
