[Vision2020] long term care

[Brent Bradberry]

Roger asked for comments about long term care policies; here is one:

About ten years ago my parents were both diagnosed with Alzheimer's. We 
decided to move them in with us for as long as possible. When they 
reached the point where they no longer recognized us or knew where they 
were (after about 4 years), we moved them to what is now called Aspen 
Park where they were well cared for, but at a high $$ cost (and they had 
no applicable insurance). Dad died in 2002 and Mother in 2005, each at 
the age of 91.

The experience prompted my wife and I to take out long term care 
policies, primarily to protect the finances of our children or the 
healthy spouse if one of us requires long term care. This is a type of 
insurance that we hope never to use, and although we have not had to try 
to collect we are comfortable with our decision. We did a GREAT deal of 
research before we decided, and I strongly urge anyone else who might be 
interested to take his/her time and read all the fine print. Definitely, 
some policies might be better than others for certain people and certain 
circumstances. I would go so far as to recommend hiring an disinterested 
outside expert, such as an expert in elder law and/or financial 
planning, to assist you in making your decision.

Brent Bradberry