Babysitting Senior Parents?

You are either a senior citizen, a baby booming child of a senior citizen, or hopelessly lost in our vast website!  I hope you are one of the first two.  The title to this section of our insurance services is not meant to make fun of or demean the senior.  With a large portion of our clientele being in this category, it would be quite foolish to do that.  But we do want to get your attention and not overlook this important type of insurance.

There is a common "Circle of Life" that takes place with a parent and child.  First, the parent brings that helpless little life into this world and provides all of the eating, dressing, bathing, safety and general support to assure the child can grow up and become self sufficient.  (Of course, the trend lately for empty nesters to have their kids want to come back and live with them is a known reality)  

As time goes on the parent becomes a senior citizen in the circle of life and eventually, there comes a day when the parent must start asking for help in the areas of eating, dressing, bathing, safety and general support to assure they can exist in the world without causing further harm to themselves.  Whether the parent asks for help from family (children usually) or from other health care providers will depend on a lot of factors.  Sadly, some don't ask for help, none is offered, and these seniors are subject to abuse by default.

One factor determining the level of care received is how much money they have at this point.  Those that have adequate reserves will normally shy away from any offers of help from family members.  Those that bought adequate and modern long term insurance will be able to have daycare, homecare as well as nursing home coverage and not always require much assistance from their family members in most cases. Others with enough money will just pay for these services as well for as long as they need to.

But, when money assets run low and long-term care insurance does not exist or does not pay enough, the "spend-down" takes place where, before long, the parent may become eligible for government Medicaid assistance.  However, if they use it very long, the government will have liens on any real property and most investment vehicles so that upon the death of the senior, these assets will go to the government for reimbursement of the expenses paid out.  In many cases, this leaves only personal belongings left behind for the surviving family members.

When the money runs completely out, another reality in the "Circle of Life" takes place.  This is not very easy to discuss or fun to experience.  This last plank from the "abyss" puts pressure on the children or other family members to step in and pay for the help necessary for the senior parent to stay in their own home with assistance.  And in the worst case scenario, liquidate the home and many belongings and force the senior parent to have to come live them.  

Thus, the question "babysitting senior parents?" is used.  You have to understand if you are a child of a senior parent that is now in harms way, it would normally only sound fair to reciprocate and help them like they helped you - back when you were a young baby or child and you were unable to help yourself.  

Yet, life in general is not set up to be very "fair".  If you are able to care for a loved one or disabled parent, God Bless You!  Truly you are a great testimony of what is fair and just and a true symbol of love in the purest form!  But, we know that sometimes it just isn't possible to care for the disabled in your home, regardless of who it may be.  So the reality of the "Circle of Life" is that long-term care insurance may be the best solution to insure this risk before it happens. 

If you are a senior or the child of a senior, both of you have a responsibility to explore nursing care or long-term care insurance because it is a family affair that needs to be talked over, not swept under the carpet and ignored.  And, it needs to be discussed early, before cognitive impairment or severe illness sets in or you just get so old that the premium becomes prohibitive. 

So, we provide this forum for you to explore the possibilities and then react if you like, by asking us to provide a recommendation of the best plan that will meet YOUR needs.

Bottom Line:  Our long-term experience has taught us...

...senior parents care and love their children, but really don't want to live with them or anyone else!

...children of senior parents care and love them, but don't always have the ability to take care of more than their immediate family for money reasons, space reasons, etc.  

...that without adequate money reserves or adequate long-term care insurance, undue suffering and even silent abuse can take place.  Sometimes, accelerated death follows when all hope is lost and the senior can no longer provide for his or her own care!

What about fees? 
This service is provided on a "commission" basis only.  Long-term care insurance companies are not well suited to be part of our "consulting" services.  The time and expense to underwrite nursing coverage is quite comprehensive and we get paid for our work by being paid a reasonable sales commission directly by the selected company.

Also, no  "on-line" discount can apply since many states still regard it as a "rebate" that is considered an illegal kickback.  If you would like to request coverage, just click on the link below to fill out an insurance service order:

Or, we would be happy to first prepare a FREE QUOTE for your private perusal, before you decide. Tell us the specifics about your situation and ask any questions you may have. We promise we will respond back with a recommendation very quickly and give answers you request of us.

To Request Coverage, or a Free Quote, CLICK HERE

       Or, please call, write or e-mail us with any other questions you may have in this area.