Where to Get the Best Long Term Care Insurance Information

As part of promoting National Long Term Care Awareness month, we are releasing a series of articles for readers to get accessible long term care insurance information. Last week, we focused on the importance of LTC quotes. Today, we’ll be discussing more on where to seek out information and resources to secure LTC needs.

Search Online for LTCI Information

Information about long term care insurance can be found by simply searching online. Of course, you’d first need to make sure if the resources you are looking up are comprehensive (yet easy-to-digest), valid, relevant, and updated. For starters, make sure to refer to government long term care information sites such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Benefits.gov. Doing so will allow you to have a ready source of LTC information that you can refer or pattern to other sites.

The next in line to check information would be long term care insurance provider sites. Make sure to check multiple sites, for LTCI plans differ per provider. Additionally, you can also refer to the blog sections of these sites, for easier-to-digest data.

Speaking of blogs, these are several websites available online which focuses on this particular topic. Some examples of LTC blogs are written by nursing centers, caregivers, and even agents themselves.

By seeking information from government sites first, then cascading down to insurance providers, will let you get the information you’d need in an organized and efficient manner. You do not want to be swamped with too much information – LTCI isn’t a topic that is easily understood the first time around, so sticking to a system will help you learn.

Search Online for Senior News

There is more to coverage when looking up information on long term care insurance. Find out how an LTCI will work best for your circumstances by learning more about how seniors cope during the twilight years. Searching online for the latest on elder laws, senior activities, and retirement news will give you an idea on how you can maximize the use of a long term care insurance plan. Think of this as alternative learning – textbook education (the government and insurance provider sites) will always be great, but learning a topic indirectly (utilizing other resources/references) may help you absorb and retain information in a faster and more enjoyable manner.

Additionally, online senior news and reference sites will allow you to plan for retirement beyond what an LTCI policy may offer. With the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs; such as eating, transferring, dressing, etc.) specifically addressed by an LTCI, you may also want to learn and look forward to the possible scenarios you can pursue during the golden years.

Ask Seniors for Advice

Perhaps one of the best sources of long term care information would be from senior policyholders. With actual recipients of LTCI coverage giving you advice, you can be sure that the information you will get is relevant. Also, LTCI policyholders may refer you to trusted insurance providers and agents to help draft a plan. You may also get some much-needed advice on how to prepare for retirement.

Take note that asking advice from seniors doesn’t necessarily need to be online. You can seek help from local nursing facilities, to see firsthand on how residents are cared for. Also, you can ask help from elderly members of the family who have purchased coverage for long term care. The point is, asking help from actual policyholders will allow you to get LTCI information at the most basic and natural explanation as possible.

Maximizing the Use of the Information

To top it all off, we have collated some several guidelines for you to make the most out of all the long term care insurance information that you have received. By making use of these checklists, you can have an easier and organized approach when seeking out the information you may need when planning for your future:

I found a Resource

• Is it applicable for my circumstances?
• Do I have the means to pay for it?
• Am I comfortable with the way the information was explained to me?
• Do I think the plan offered to me will be helpful during the retirement years?

Ongoing Help (from insurance providers and agents)

• Am I sure that LTCI assistance will still be provided after I have purchased a plan?
• Will any questions that I may have during my coverage be entertained?
• Will I be updated with new information (or changes) regarding my policy?

Ongoing Help (from senior policyholders)

• Am I comfortable building a connection with these individuals?
• Do I feel like the information given to me is relevant or updated?
• Can I see that these senior policyholders are given proper care and assistance?

These checklists will serve as a quick and easy reminder for you to look up to when searching for long term care insurance.

How About You?

Do you other tips or suggestions when looking for the best long term care insurance? Perhaps you may have another resource to consider or a checklist to add? Please share it with us below! And make sure to visit our blog next week for our last post on long term care awareness.