Long Term Care Insurance
Protect Your Future with Comprehensive Coverage
Stay-at-home planning is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your family.
Long-term care (LTC) insurance provides individuals with the help they need on a daily basis, either through a nursing home or other facilities. For some, it’s an opportunity to maintain their independence and dignity in an environment that provides the companionship of others—and for others, it’s the only way they can continue to live safely and comfortably at home.
Long-Term Care Insurance Explained
Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance that helps to cover the cost of care for people who are unable to care for themselves. This can include in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. It is important to note that long-term care insurance is not the same as health insurance. Health insurance covers doctor’s visits and hospital stays, while long-term care insurance covers the cost of ongoing care.
For those looking for long-term care insurance for themselves, this type of plan helps protect you financially in the event that age or illness leaves you unable to properly care for yourself. The reality is that 70% of people ages 65 and over will require long-term care assistance at some point in their lives.
Projected Cost of Care in Hawaii Over the Next Decade1
By 2033, the annual cost of care is expected to be
Informal Care
$91,779
Home Care
$126,774
Assisted Living
$145,731
Nursing Home
$235,241
1“Long-Term Care Calculator.” Compare Long-Term Care Costs from State to State, https://oneamericaltcmap.hvsfinancial.com/.
Last updated May 3, 2023.
Why You Need Long-Term Care Insurance
The average cost of a nursing home stay is over $80,000 per year in the U.S., and over $200,000 per year in the state of Hawaii—that number is only going up. Medicare does not cover the cost of long-term care, so unless you have long-term care insurance, you will be responsible for paying these costs out of pocket. Additionally, more people are choosing to age in place, which means they will need in-home care. The cost of in-home care can also be quite high, and it is not covered by Medicare either. Long-term care insurance can help you to cover these costs so that you are not left financially burdened.
How Long-Term Care Has Changed
In the past, most people simply put their parents in a nursing home and hoped for the best. However, today there is a much greater focus on keeping seniors in their own homes for as long as possible. This has led to a change in the way that long-term care is provided. Instead of simply providing financial assistance, many long-term care policies provide access to services like home health aides and transportation assistance. This helps to ensure that seniors are able to age in place safely and comfortably.
What Are the Six Activities of Daily Living?
If a person becomes unable to do any two of the following Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), they may qualify for long-term care coverage:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Eating
- Transferring – getting in or out of a bed or chair
- Toileting – Going to the bathroom alone
- Caring for incontinence – ability to control bowel and bladder movements
Digital resources at your fingertips
What you need to know about LTC policies
A Step-by-Step guide to Long-Term Care
Long-Term Care Definitions Guide
Steps to long term care insurance
Determine How Much Coverage You Need
LTC policies vary in the amount that they pay out monthly and the total amount paid over the course of time. This calculator can help determine how much coverage you need. More expensive policies provide more coverage. Determine the amount that fits in your budget.
Determine the Type of Coverage You Want
LTC policies can be sold as stand-alone policies that only pay out if you require long-term care. There are also hybrid LTC policies that also act as traditional life insurance should you not require LTC care. Our team will help you decide which type is best for you.
Compare and Apply
Occidental is happy to consult with you and answer any questions you might have about the different long-term care policy options available to you. We have been proudly serving the families of Hawaii for nearly 90 years. We look forward to helping you find the perfect policy and peace of mind.