During the retirement planning process, long-term care costs are often an important consideration, and rightly so. Long-term care costs can go beyond what Medicare covers, and 70% of people over 65 will need some form of long-term care, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.  

Because of this, many people planning for retirement begin to consider long-term care insurance. This can be a great option for protecting your finances as life evolves. However, financial protection is not the only aspect of long-term care planning that needs to be considered. 

 

Why Planning for Long-Term Care Matters Early 

When you enter your retirement years or even choose to continue working later in life, you may not be thinking about how your needs could change over time. However, asking yourself what might happen if you need more support one day can make a meaningful difference. 

By thinking about these possibilities today and putting a plan in place, you can better protect your independence and maintain your lifestyle in the future. 

One of the most common goals tied to long-term care planning is the ability to stay at home. 

Aging in Place Starts with a Safe Home

Most people want to stay in the home they love as they grow older rather than move into a retirement community. This is known as aging in place. 

We are fortunate when we have the opportunity to grow older at home, and people who successfully remain at home often take proactive steps to support that goal. 

Aging in place begins with creating a safe and accessible home environment. So, how safe is your home? 

Consider the following questions as you think about your home and daily routines: 

• Are you able to enter and exit your home with ease? 

• Can you tell when visitors or deliveries arrive and know who may be at any of your doors? 

• Are your stairways safe and have you taken steps to make walking in hallways or through doors as safe as possible? 

• Do you have difficulty getting in or out of the tub or shower?  

• Have you made any modifications to your bathroom(s) so they are updated and safe as you get older? 

• Is it easy to get on and off the couch 

• Are pathways clear to every room? 

• Where in your home are your washer and dryer located?  

• Is your basement a living space or more for storage? 

These questions matter because creating a safe home now when you’re healthy is much easier than making urgent changes later. Without planning ahead, many people find themselves trying to make multiple modifications all at once when they already need support. 

Friends Life Care’s wellness and care coordination team helps members assess their living space and identify improvements that can reduce fall risk and support independence. In addition, having expert guidance can help you notice risks or opportunities you may not have considered. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 10% of American homes are considered aging-ready. Therefore, there is a strong chance that your home could benefit from thoughtful updates. 

Long Term Care Planning and the Dimensions of Wellness 

While both play an important role, long-term care planning goes beyond your physical space and financial preparation. 

There are seven Dimensions of Wellness, and each one plays an important role in your overall quality of life. When one area is neglected, it can affect the others.  

You can learn more about what those dimensions are in our past blog post here: www.friendslifecare.org/blog-dimensionsofwellness-seniorwellness/  

By maintaining balance across these areas, you strengthen your ability to age well and support your long-term care plan. 

Options Beyond Long– Term Care Insurance

Many people do not realize that options exist in addition to long-term care insurance. To help manage the process of creating a safe home and having the right resources in place as you get older, many people choose to partner with a Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program. 

Programs like Friends Life Care support individuals through the important aspects of aging in place, acting as a knowledgeable and trusted partner along the way. This includes the financial component that is often top of mind, as well as care coordination and guidance when needs change. 

CCaH’s can provide not only financial protection but also a care advocate and a support system when needed. This approach can be especially valuable for people who live alone, do not want their children or loved ones as their only resource, want expert advice, or simply want a safety net 

In addition, this type of program can work alongside a long-term care insurance plan you already have or are considering. 

Hear more about what members of Friends Life Care have to say about having an advocate to support them as they age in place. 

Start Your Long-Term Care Planning Today 

If you are ready to begin your long-term care planning journey, starting with the right tools can make the process feel more manageable and less overwhelming. 

Click Here to Download Your Free Aging in Place Kit 

This kit walks you through the questions that matter most, helping you create a more stable future and a plan that reflects your values and priorities. 

Inside the kit, you will find a Readiness Guide for aging in place, comparison charts that outline different long-term care options, and the interactive Five Wishes workbook to help you document important decisions. You will also learn about key milestone birthdays and what they may mean for your planning timeline. 

In addition, the kit includes real-life insight from a couple who are aging in place and sharing their experience, along with other helpful resources to guide your next steps. 

Taking the time to plan now can give you greater confidence in your future and help ensure your plan supports the life you want to live.