The True Cost of Long-Term Care

Nov 05, 2016

By Rick Law, J.D. founder of the Estate Planning Center at Law Elder Law.  Rick and daughter/attorney partner Diana Law are part of the caring team at Law Elder Law. Serving seniors, boomers, and their families in West suburban Chicagoland in Illinois.

It is not uncommon, when talking to a man about the possibility of old age decline, to have him say things such as:

• “My dad died at sixty of a heart attack–I’m sure I’m not going to live any longer than that.”
• “I won’t rust out, I’ll burn out.”
• “Before I’ll go to a nursing home I’ll put the muzzle of a gun in my mouth!”
• “I’m gonna keep going until one day I just drop in the harness.”

According to a survey conducted by the New York times, nationwide evidence tells us that the long-term care burden overwhelmingly falls on the women of the family.  In their youth men are generally physically stronger than women, but as they age they decline more quickly.  Compounding the problem, men often cling to a machismo that causes them to deny their own mortality and to under-appreciate the catastrophic burden that old-age frailty will place on their wives or children.

It seems to be a natural part of being male to assume that bad things happen to other people, not to yourself.  The result of this attitude is that the women of the family are faced with caring for more and more frail men who have either refused to purchase long-term care insurance, or refused to modify their lifestyles to minimize the possibility of chronic illness.  Women are forced to exhaust their own financial and physical resources to care for their men.

By the time the first spouse dies, the caregiver spouse is often depleted both physically and financially.  She has no reserves as she faces her own long-term care crisis.

As elder law and estate planning attorneys, we strive to help rescue the embattled caregiver.  Survivor spouse preservation is one of our key goals when working with a couple to plan ahead, and those who are already faced with nursing home challenges.

At Law Elder Law, we recognize the contribution of the women who carry the burden of their own parents, their husbands’ frail parents, and/or their own husbands.

Too many families needlessly lose everything they have.  Don’t let that be you.  If you need help paying the overwhelming cost of long term care, give our office a call at 800-310-3100.  Your first consultation is absolutely free.  We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family.  Call now, because when you’re out of money, you’re out of options!

Sincerely,

Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees.

Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!