Thursday, February 19, 2015

By Olivia Cross


Prudent people plan for their retirement years from an early age. Life expectancy has risen and nobody want to spend their last years living in poverty or dependant upon family or the state. There are many factors to consider when planning for future financial security. One important possibility that is often overlooked is the potential need for personal care at home or at an institution for an extended period of time. When planning a financial portfolio, it is vital to also get a long term care quote.

Thinking that medical insurance, even the most comprehensive medical insurance will cover situations where the policy holder requires permanent or even semi permanent caring from a dedicated professional can be a very big mistake. Many people requiring this type of service are not actually ill and they do not need medical attention. Instead, they need assistance with activities such as eating, dressing and toileting, for example.

Consumers can choose from a host of policies underwritten by all the large insurance companies. These policies are specially designed to pay the cost of ongoing personal care when such assistance becomes necessary. These policies must not be confused with medical insurance. They do not cover the cost of medical treatment. They will, however, cover the cost of long term care at home or in an institution.

The importance of such a policy becomes even more evident when one considers the number of children and young people that become disabled or frail due to accidents and disease. Caring for such patients can be horrendously expensive and ongoing assistance may be required for many years. Very few families can afford such a situation. Caring for such a patient personally can easily become a tremendous personal and financial burden.

The policies offered by the various insurers differ wildly. Some insurers will only pay for services rendered at a specialist institution, such as homes specializing in caring for people with Alzheimer. Other policies only make provision for limited daily visits by a caregiver. There is therefore a real danger that policy holders may find themselves in a situation where their policies do not cover their individual needs when the time comes.

Comparing quotations from different insurers can be problematic. The quotations are not in a standard format and it is often difficult to judge the long term implications of the various terms and conditions. It is nevertheless important to get as many quotations as possible. It is also important to ascertain whether the policy can be upgraded when circumstances change or when the budget allows such a move.

Comparing quotations against each other can be very difficult. The best route may be to ask advice from a broker that has experience in dealing with this type of policy. Organizations specialising in caring for disabled and frail people can also provide very valuable pointers. Another option is to use one of the many websites that specialize in obtaining comparable quotes on behalf of their users.

Considering a life where it is impossible to perform even basic personal tasks can be depressing. However, considering such a life without professional help can be a nightmare. Purchasing an appropriate policy will at least ensure a dignified and endurable life.




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