Family Get-Togethers Are Ideal Times to Talk Turkey about Long-Term Care, Says Les Robinson of LESLTC

[Lester Robinson]

Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are upon us. Families will be getting together and need something to talk about besides politics, sports, or the weather. "So why bring up long-term care?" says Les Robinson of LesLtc. "It's an important topic that may be hard to bring up at other times."

"According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of us over age 65 will need long-term care at some point," says Robinson, who represents LesLtc  in IL,OH,NY,TX,VA,MI,WA,SC,AK,PA,NJ,FL  . “And when you reflect that several family members may be at risk, the odds of some impact on everyone may approach 100%.”

Robinson recommends broaching the LTC issue at the Thanksgiving table or when together at Christmas, Honnukah, or another December holiday. “When will there ever be a better time?” Robinson asks. “Everyone will be in one place and in a receptive mood."

Questions that might be raised include –

• Who's going to pay for it? If your parents, you, your spouse, or another family member suddenly needs long-term care services, where will the money come from? Is an LTC insurance policy in force? If not, would it make sense to look into one?
• Who might be burdened with providing care personally? If there’s no insurance to cover professional care, what if Mom or Dad, say, were to suddenly need help with activities of daily living? Who would have time to help them move around, bathe, or eat? Who has a spare room, or who could foresake work or family responsibilities?
• What if care costs erode an inheritance? Are you expecting something from Mom or Dad – to help pay your kids’ college bills, maybe? Or if you’re the one who may need care, are you hoping to pass something on to your kids?
• Do you expect Medicaid to pay the bills? If so, remember that Medicaid is designed for people without resources or who have exhausted their assets.

“Why not take advantage of family get-togethers when talking at other times may be problematic?” Robinson asks. “Make time for side conversations that affect everyone’s future wealth and happiness.”

Robinson provides long-term care planning and insurance for families and organizations in IL,OH,NY,TX,VA,MI,WA,SC,AK,PA,NJ,FL  and refers inquirers to colleagues covering other parts of the country.

Robinson may be at [e-mail] or www.lesltc.com or 1-800-875-0140 for a Long Term Care insurance questions of quote.