Long Term Care Answer

LONG TERM CARE ANSWER

1. Define an ADL and what are some. Which is the most "basic"

2. Under what conditions is home health care worthwhile

ANSWER

1. ADL's represent Activities of Daily Living and are used in (to my knowledge) all long term care policies to reflect the conditions for exercise of a policy. If you cannot perform, generally, two or three ADL's, you may be able to get coverage for home health and/or nursing home care.

Such ADL's may include toileting, bathing, dressing, continence, eating as well as others. Cognitive impairment is usually defined separately.

Most commentary refers to bathing as the most "basic" ADL since, if you cannot bath yourself, you may also be unable to bend, move properly, etc. and other ADL's will have already been directly impacted

2. Literally everyone wants to remain at home as long as possible. That is why there has been a tremendous surge in the home health care riders/policies. However, such coverage is not to be considered in lieu of long term care since, on average, it may only be six months before one goes into a nursing home once home health care is commenced. This stay at home can be lengthened by family and friends that can provide the extra assistance that home health care cannot provide. The point being is this- if you do NOT have extensive community support- meaning the spouse, friends and relatives that you can ABSOLUTELY count on as caregivers- the cost of the home health care rider or policy may not be viable since it will never be effectively utilized.

It is when such people are available that home health care can be extremely viable.

3. Guaranteed renewable allows the company to change (meaning increase) rates for an entire class in the state. They cannot unilaterally just increase the costs just for you- but for an entire section that, let's say, bought a policy in 1994.

Noncancelable means they CANNOT change the rates or terms of your policy at all at any time for any reason- save for non payment.