This week, my guest Mary Ellen Gilbert with https://navacare.org/ shares how we can see the early signs that an aging parent or family member needs more support, even when they insist they're fine.

She shares how her company helps families find the right place where their loved one can be the most comfortable at a time when nothing seems comfortable.

We need to understand that the person in need is not resisting the help; they're resisting losing thier independence. That we can help them stay as independent as possible with the right support.

We need to have these conversations early, so we're not scrambling to figure out what they would have wanted without their input. We always feel guilty that we're doing it wrong if we don't ask early enough to know what they would want.

As caregivers, we also need support to know we're not the only one going through this.

Navacare offers a free support group for family members in the Clearwater, Tampa Bay area, and they have an online course that can be purchased that walks families through the A-Z of the aging process.

These resources are so valuable and can be found in their website https://navacare.org/

Once Mom or Dad is safe, or even better, before they need your support, reach out to me to prepare for your tomorrow at my 30 minute introductory meeting

We all want to wait as long as we can to buy LTC insurance. Too often, health concerns diminish or eliminate what can be offered.

In this week's episode, Diane shares consequences that show up when our parent's health and care needs interfere with our ability to plan well.

If we implement and start paying the premiums earlier, we can fully fund our policies before mom or dad needs our money and/or our time because they had failed to prepare for their own care needs.

If we could completely fund our plan before mom or dad asks for $2000/$4000/$6000 every month for their care, then we know we'll be prepared for our tomorrow and won't need to do the same to our kids, or friends or relatives.

When we wait, our parents' negligence or denial of their own needs can prevent us from being financially secure when our own long term care is needed.

Learn what your state Medicaid dept let's you keep to qualify for Medicaid at https://gotltci.com/2026/01/what-your-state-lets-you-keep/

Schedule an introductory meeting to learn if some form of LTC insurance is an appropriate tool for your family at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/15min

Schedule a full no obligation consult at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/60min

This week we turn independence upside down. We think we're independent when we can live and receive care in our homes, but that forces our family to reshape their lives to support our progressing needs. Then families feel really bad when they realize they can't do it - they never knew how much work and time it takes.

So many parents beg their children to never "put" them somewhere. Or when the subject comes up, they exclaim, "I'm not ready yet!"

But then, after they do move to Senior Living, the new exclamation becomes "OMG, why didn't I move her sooner?"

Senior Living communities are evolving to meet Baby Boomer demands for comfort and activities. Today, the good ones can be considered Resorts with Help.

The better ones, with the best employees who can nurture our well-being and create a great culture cost more than others.

The median cost for assisted living today across the country is $75,000 annually and is expected to increase to over $200,000 per year in 20 years.

That's median, so the resort like places will cost more.

We need to prepare today so we can choose where we can live later.

View current and projected costs of care (use 5% inflation growth) at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care

Schedule a brief introductory call or zoom meeting with Diane at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

In almost three decades, I've been asked to leave, I've been hung up on, I've been sworn at and more. But only one person actually got up and walked out of the meeting.

This week, I'm talking about dads. The 82 year olds and the 32 year olds and how the role is changing for the better, in my opinion.

Men are stepping up to help more with the kids and to just be present for them. It's a choice.

It's also a choice to prepare today for a time when it may be harder to do the things that are taken for granted today, like putting on socks and shoes, or walking up steps without assistance.

Hopefully, the dad's who are willing to be vulnerable today with children growing up will be willing to admit that there may be a time when help is needed. They'll prepare for those days as well.

View current and projected costs of care using 5% COLA https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care

Check out a ton of great consumer resources at the American Association for LTC Insurance https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/

Schedule an introductory meeting with Diane at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

This week, we learn about how state LTC Partnership programs started and how they developed over time to include most states.

What is Long Term care Partnership? Why is this an effective way to help middle income and middle asset families protect savings when long term care is needed. Who benefits from these kinds of plans?

The American Association for Long Term Care Advocacy has a ton of inormation on Partnership and may other subjects. You can find it https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/long-term-care-insurance-partnership-plans.php

You can view both current and projected costs of care )please be realistic and use 5% annual inflation https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care

Learn what state Medicaid programs let you keep and qualify for Medicaid https://gotltci.com/2026/01/what-your-state-lets-you-keep/ This is my colleagues website, and I am one of the Specialisrts you can get if you schedule a meeting through this website. But you may get someone else, so use it for research as there are so much great information.

Then schedule a 30 minutre introductory meeting with me to help me understand your quest https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

People sometimes ask how I got involved in LTC insurance and how do I feel always talking about getting old or sick because it's so depressing.

Here's how long term care and LTC insurance showed up in my life and why I am committted to stay.

Review both current and projected costs of care where you live https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Please use 5% COLA for projections. If we think the caregiving industry's inflation will decrease going forward, we're fooling ourselves. Baby boomers are starting to turn 80 this year. The tsunami is here.

Learn Medicaid rules in your state https://www.elderlawanswers.com/

The National Council on Aging is a great resource https://www.ncoa.org/

Schedule a 15 minute "Get to know you" call or zoom meeting today at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/15min

LTC insurance claims are hard to get approved because so many claims are not actually long term care.

When a claim is declined, the family becomes disgruntled and angry at the insurance company.

Usually the problem is what the providers/doctors, facilities are reporting when filing the claim.

LTC News reported over $15 billion was paid in claims in 2024. See the details at https://www.ltcnews.com/articles/rising-claims-growing-demand-long-term-care-insurance-key-retirement-plan

AHIP (America's Health Insurance Plans) reports over $16 billion paid in 2024 and separates results by states at https://www.ahip.org/resources/long-term-care-insurance-coverage-state-to-state-2025

View current and projected costs of care where you live at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care

Please be sure to use 5% cost of living increases to get a clear picture of future costs.

Schedule time with me to learn more at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

This week, we discuss the costs of dementia care vs. other long term care needs.

Too many believe Medicare pays for care after age 65. Medicare may pay for up to 100 days if skilled care is also needed to help recovery from a hospitalization/procedure, and if you've been in the hosptal at least three nights.

At age 80, 75% of people with Alzheimer's disease live in nursing homes while 4% of others at age 80 live there.

Do you really want to spend down your assets to qualify fro Medicaid and be "put" in a nursing home where 75% of your peers have dementia?

Here is a link to learn what it takes to qualify for Medicaid in your state https://www.elderlawanswers.com/

Here is a link to see current and future costs of care where you live (use 5% inflation growth to project future costs more accurately https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care

Then use the link below to schedule a brief call or zoom with me to learn if LTC insurance may be a good strategy you can use to protect yor family, savings and choices https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

If we agree it's a valuable option to consider, we'll schedule a longer meeting and get to work.