How to Participate in Long-Term Care Awareness Month in November

As life expectancy increases and more people reach their senior years, the need for long-term care becomes a reality for many people. Long-Term Care Awareness Month, which is observed in November, is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of long-term care (LTC) planning. The month offers a unique opportunity to educate yourself, plan for your future, and take proactive steps to ensure your family is protected in the event you or a loved one needs long-term care services. The Indianapolis attorneys at Frank & Kraft offer suggestions for how you can participate in Long-Term Care Awareness Month this November.

Learn About Long-Term Care Options

The first step to participating in Long-Term Care Awareness Month is to educate yourself about the various options available. Long-term care includes a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of individuals who can no longer perform everyday activities independently and includes options such as in-home care, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or specialized memory care units for those with conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia. Researching the cost of care, comparing facilities, and exploring home care options are critical steps in making informed decisions about long-term care.

Assess Your Long-Term Care Needs

At some point in your life, you may find long-term care necessary for you or your spouse because of age-related issues, chronic illness, or disability and the earlier you start thinking about these possibilities, the better prepared you will be. Part of assessing your potential long-term care needs should include evaluating your financial preparedness for long-term care. This is crucial because long-term care (LTC) can be expensive, and Medicare or traditional health insurance often does not cover these costs. As of 2024, the average cost of a year in a nursing home in Indiana was just over $115,000, highlighting the need to plan for the cost of LTC.

Consider Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance helps cover the cost of services that may not be covered by regular health insurance or Medicare, such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. If you are still relatively young, this may be an option worth considering because the earlier you purchase long-term care insurance, the more affordable it tends to be. It is crucial to understand the terms of a LTC insurance policy, however, before deciding to purchase one, including exclusions, waiting periods, and maximum benefits.

Create or Update Your Estate Plan

Long-Term Care Awareness Month is also an ideal time to create or update your estate plan to reflect your long-term care preferences. Estate planning documents such as a Living Will, Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and a financial Power of Attorney can help ensure that your wishes are honored if you are unable to make decisions for yourself because of incapacity at a later date. If you already have an estate plan, review it to make sure it aligns with your current circumstances and potential future needs. For example, you may need to update beneficiary designations, add provisions for long-term care, or ensure your financial Power of Attorney includes specific language authorizing your agent to make decisions related to your care.

Talk to Your Family About Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care Awareness Month also presents an excellent opportunity to have conversations with your family about your long-term care preferences. While these discussions can be difficult, they are necessary to ensure that everyone understands your wishes and is on the same page when it comes to your LTC preferences which can prevent confusion or disagreements in the future. This is the ideal time to discuss potential caregiving responsibilities with family members as well as how long-term care costs will be funded if you need care in the future.

Can We Help You with Long-Term Planning?

For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you need help incorporating long-term planning into your estate plan, contact the experienced Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft by calling (317) 684-1100 to schedule an appointment.

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