Long Term Care Insurance Helps Texans Remain in Their Homes


A recent report ranked Texas as the state with the worst nursing homes in the country, causing people all across the state to rally in support of improving the many long term care facilities in the Lone Star State.

As many people fight to find quality nursing homes and improve the standard of care statewide, others are turning to different solutions to receive their long term care.

Home Sweet Home 

Long term care brings about a lot of changes, physically and emotionally. Whether you need care from a recent surgery, a fall, stroke, or Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, transitioning into long term care can be stressful. Moving into a facility can add to this stress if the patient is reluctant to leave the comfort of the home they have lived in for years.

Fortunately, nursing homes and assisted living facilities aren’t the only care setting available for long term care patients. In-home care has become increasingly popular over the years, for obvious reasons. Receiving care in your own home retains a sense of normalcy that moving into a facility typically can disrupt. Rather than completely changing your life, you can stay where you are happiest and feel most at ease.

There’s no denying the cost of long term care in Texas is exceedingly expensive, and the majority of people can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket. According to Genworth, one of the top long term care insurance providers, the median cost of in-home care in Texas is $41,184 annually. Even 1 year of care can substantially impact your retirement savings and leave you in financial disarray. Long term care insurance provides a way to safeguard against this risk by protecting your assets from the cost of care and providing the option of in-home care.

Facing the Cost of Care

While none of us really know if we will ever need long term care or not, the fact is, the risk of financial fallout associated with the cost of care is too severe to ignore. This fact has become more apparent to the Baby Boomer population, many of whom are currently dealing with the care of their aging parents.

An important key to purchasing this type of insurance is buying the right amount of coverage at the right time. Applying for a policy when you are in your 40s or 50s will help you save a substantial amount of money compared to if you wait to apply until your 60s. This is because age and health both play a large role in what premium rate you are assigned. Texans in good health are likely to qualify for a discount from the top companies.

Long term care insurance policies from the top companies typically offer the option of in-home health care, instead of facility care. This care, which is substantially cheaper than facility care, can help you avoid exhausting your policy as quickly and keep you happier during your time of care. Some companies even offer home modifications and installation of emergency response systems to keep you as safe as possible in your home environment.

Be sure to work with an independent agent who has experience with the top providers and can help you determine whether or not your chosen policy offers in-home care. If you are interested in learning more about a policy, request a quote and we will contact you shortly.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Go Unreported in Texas

The Center for Disease Control recently published results of a survey they conducted across 21 states in the United States. The goal was to determine the span of memory loss and cognitive decline across the senior population, those aged 60 years old and up. The findings, especially for Texans, were bleak.

Increased Memory Loss

According to the survey, 13% of all Texas respondents reported memory issues. 40% of those with memory issues also reported that it interfered with their daily lives. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can often impair someone’s ability to perform tasks that were once second nature, like dressing, bathing, or eating.

Alzheimer’s and dementia can be difficult to identify at first, because it usually progresses slowly, and presents itself as mere confusion or forgetfulness. However, with Alzheimer’s cases expected to increase by one-third in the next 12 days, it is important to know the indicators because early detection can often help people ward off the disease for much longer.

Despite this, nearly 80% of the Texans who experienced memory problems and cognitive decline had not discussed their symptoms with a doctor.

Early Stage Alzheimer’s 

Researchers have found an increasingly present connection between Depression and Alzheimer’s, which lends the need for greater attention paid to one’s own mental state. Those who have felt more forgetful than usual or recognize their confusion as a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s should speak to their doctor immediately.

Unfortunately, once you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is too late to buy a Long Term Care Insurance policy to help you cover the cost of your health services. That is why it is crucial to research Long Term Care Insurance when you are young and healthy. An LTCI policy will help safeguard your assets from depletion and cover the cost of the quality care services you deserve. Long term care is affecting more Americans every day, and it is time to start planning for the