Discussion: Preparing for Long-Term Care

In this week’s scenario, Frank’s parents did not create a long-term care plan for the future. Now that his mother is not doing well, Frank and his wife, Julie, need to help her find quality long-term care that fits within her financial capabilities. Imagine if Frank’s parents had started planning for their golden years when they were younger. How might things be different for his mother? For Frank and Julie?

According to the LongTermCare.gov (2017), “it’s never too early to start planning for your long-term care. If you’re less than 50, there are just a few simple things that you should know and can do today, that will make tomorrow a whole lot easier” (para. 1).

Because there are many types of care available and a person’s care needs can change unexpectedly, it is important that people familiarize themselves with short, mid, and long-term care options (CareConversations.org, n.d.).

For this Discussion, you will create your “ideal” long-term care plan and then share it with your colleagues. Use this opportunity to seriously think about your future long-term care needs. It is never too early to plan for the future.

References
CareConversations.org. (n.d.). Types of care. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://careconversations.org/types-care

LongTermCare.gov. (n.d.). Planning ahead before age 50. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://longtermcare.acl.gov/pathfinder/lessthan50…

To Prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the Learning Resources, particularly the LongTermCare.gov and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Learning Resources.
• Familiarize yourself with various short-, mid-, and long-term care options.
• Be as realistic as possible when developing your plan. Keep in mind where you would like to retire (states have different long-term care laws and policies), your current age, and your projected retirement income and savings.

By Day 4

Post a comprehensive response to the following:

• Describe your “ideal” long-term care plan. Because the unexpected can occur, be sure to include a variety of long-term care options, such as skilled care (short-term, intensive 24-hour care after an injury or major illness), intermediate care (rehabilitative care for up to 6 months that requires less than 24-hour care), and custodial/chronic care (care that may continue indefinitely due to a chronic or permanent illness or cognitive impairment).
• Explain how the different options will be paid, should you need them.
• Describe/explain How you will financially plan for them?
• Did this Discussion make you think differently about planning ahead for long-term care? Explain.