Several years before my mom and dad began the deteriorating aging process, we visited a long-term care insurance agency. The agent made perfect sense to me! But my parents opted out saying "no, we'll go to the nursing home here in West.... we'll go on Medicaid." 

I was blind-sided! What?? Hardly believing those gawd awful words.... "nursing home". It's one thing to choose to live in a nursing home that's well equipped, pleasant surroundings, and good care... But the nursing home where my folks lived were none of those! Ugh!

Their story ended for mom never having to step into that facility... my dad? Well, that's a heart breaking story... shortly after mom's death, he was diagnosed with Alz. Within six months of that diagnosis he was incontinent and six month after that in a wheel chair. So, yes, he spent two miserable years in that facility.

So, if you're thinking whether or not Long-Term Care Insurance is worth your money... an anonymous writer says it all - read on:

I take care of both my elderly parents who are bed bound and wheelchair bound. Both have had strokes, both have dementia, both are incontinent, one can't speak, the other can't hear. I do it by myself with eight hours per week of sitter provided through a grant administered through our county. That gives me enough time to go out to grocery shop or take one or the other of my parents to doctor appointments. They didn't have long term care insurance when my parents were eligible for that. I have a sibling who put them seriously in debt and will not repay them. They have no money in savings or investment anymore. They have only debt, social security and small pension. I live in their house which is mortgaged to the hilt. I quit my job to be here to take care of them because neither they nor I could afford a sitter while I was at work. I gave up my health insurance, life insurance and spent all of my retirement toward paying down their debt that my sister created. I WILL turn over their care to any nursing home. I have researched and studied all the nursing homes in our area and I can't find one that I'd trust to even care for my dog.

For crying out loud, these are my parents. I am duty bound to care for them. I do it willingly. I am glad they are here still to be cared for. My parents sacrificed for their family, my father sacrificed for his country. Yes, it would be nice if my four siblings would help in some fashion. No, my decision to care for my parents will not be based on whether or not they choose to do the right thing.

I don't have children so I won't have anyone to care for me if and when I ever end up in their position. I don't have any income or insurance right now so that makes it impossible to get my own medical needs met in order to prevent or forestall any of these health issues for myself i.e. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., etc. And, I have no more retirement income to help out if I need it. Yes, it is scary and frustrating but,
IT'S BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE!

The best alternative is Long-Term Care Insurance and alternatives! Check out our Senior Services Elder Care Directory for help.

Thank you for visiting. Carol - Workingcaregiver.com