June 2012 - Senior Spectrum Newspaper

Ask Dr. MarionDr. Marion somers, Ph.D.Long-Term Care InsuranceMy husband and I are divorcing, andour kids are grown up and out of thehouse. Should I consider long-termcare insurance? What are the pros andcons? Mary, 52, MilwaukeeLong-TermCareDr. Marion Somers insurancehelps cover the cost of longtermhealth care, and generallycan help pay for carenot covered by most healthinsurance or Medicare.The benefits are thatlong-term care insurancecovers home care, assistedliving, adult daycare, respitecare, hospice care, nursinghomes, and Alzheimer’sfacilities. If you purchasehome care coverage, it paysfor home care, often fromthe first day it is needed. Apolicy may pay for a visitingor live-in caregiver, companion,housekeeper, therapist,or private duty nurseup to 7 days a week, 24-hours a day. Without Long-Term Care insurance, the(Long-Term Care p. 15)14 • 2012 • June