Preparing For Tomorrow podcast

As promised, here is a link to a great blog by Suze Orman on how someone with $5,000,000 in assets needs to consider LTC insurance protection https://www.suzeorman.com/blog/how-long-term-care-insurance-can-protect-your-retirement-plan/ It seems that with nearly every person or couple I work with, a version of this question comes up. Which plan do I recommend most often? Although all LTC plans are...

This is Season 6 episode 52! I'm so glad we've been able to educate people about LTC and LTC insurance for six years! As we prepare for Season 7, We'd love your input. What do you want to know more about? What do you like or dislike about the podcast? What else can I teach you? Email me at diane@preparing4tomorrow.com and use the subject line?"Podcast Topics"

This week, we continue busting the perception of not wanting LTC insurance if it isn't going to cover all of our extended care needs. If we own insurance that pays for 75% of our needs for three or four years, then we and our family will only need to pay for 25% of the costs over that time. We also look at the top 12 most expensive states in which to receive and afford LTC services and how long av...

The Milliman Report shares valuable data and statistics on traditional LTC plans. Here's a link to the report 2025 Milliman LTC Report This week, we continue to explore misguided reasons people don't use LTC insurance as a tool to help their families afford to provide needed care during an extended care event As promised, here are some links to past episodes when we shared the many costs of waitin...

The 2025 Milliman Report shares valuable data on traditional LTC insurance companies and policies. Here is a link to the report 2025 LTC Report People always find reasons not to own LTC insurance and protect their families from this potentially catastrophic risk. Over the next two episodes, I'll share some of the reasons I've heard over the years and share why these reasons are unfounded. They're...

This is always a busy time of year for me. I know it happens every year, and I need to remember to adjust my schedule a bit after Labor Day. This is the time when all the people I've been working with decide that they need to get a plan in place by year end. And they're reaching out now to get moving. I'm thankful to be the specialist you choose to manage this part of your retirement plan, and wil...

In this episode, Diane shares excerpts from a recent LTC Bullet published by The Center for Long Term Care Reform https://centerltc.com/ There is a ton of great research and information at the Center. their mission statement is below.... The Center for LTC Reform is a private institute dedicated to ensuring quality long-term care for all Americans by promoting public policy that targets scarce pub...

Sometimes, when long term care insurance or hybrid life/LTC insurance is not available due to health concerns or budget, it's good to know that there are other options that may be available. This week, Diane shares some of those options. All may not be offered in every state, but it's worth it to ask if you can consider some of these planning strategies. If we don't offer some of these solutions,...

When is it not a good idea to own LTC insurance? Many people search for long term care insurance simply to avoid letting Medicaid take over and decide where that care is received. We need to consider if the premiums are affordable while working AND after retirement. It doesn't do us any good to pay for five or ten years and then not be able to afford the premiums when our income changes. Others in...

This week, Diane shares some situations when LTC insurance may not be the answer for a family. It's clear that if Diane and her husband had listened to this advice 25 years ago, they would not own LTC insurance today, and they would not be approved by almost every company that offers these plans if they were looking for answers today. To be clear, this is not all or nothing. There are always circu...

Mike emailed asking about typical exclusions or pre-existing concerns with LTC insurance. LTC insurance is governed by Internal revenue Code (IRC) 7702(b). To be able to offer insurance, companies must adhere to this rule. American Association for LTC insurance (AALTCi) has many resources available on this https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/ You can view both current and projected cos...

Just send me a quote can be compared to going out for dinner, but on a bigger level. When we go out to eat, we consider how hungry we are, what atmosphere we want for dining, what fits our budget, what kind and amount of food we want, and more. We need to plan for LTC needs the same way. Where would we want to live? Who will be providing care? How can we afford this? What companies and plans will...

This week, because I was the primary caregiver for our very sick dog, I exhausted myself for 10 days (nothing compared to caring for a parent or grandparent for several years). We're replaying one of your most listened to episodes about hybrid life/LTC plans as a refresher. Learn current and projected costs of care where you live at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Learn what each state let'...

As promised, here is the link to view my dog's awesome workout routine on Facebook Frank's facebook reels He's doing a little better each day and will hopefully be back to normal in a few more days. On long term care, we all have a plan. Some of us know what our plan is, and some are leaving the decisions up to others, maybe family, maybe the state Medicaid system. In either case, if our memory is...

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 i...

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...

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 sub...

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'...

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 inormati...

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 care...

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/...

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...

As baby boomers reach age 80 this year, with the immigrant population in the US diminishing, and seeing the almost 80% turnover of employees in home care, assisted living and nursing home care, we are getting ever closer to the Silver Tsunami. Even today, we don't have enough licensed care givers to meet the need of our aging population. That's before we consider the massive need for geriatricians...

In the U.S., almost 13 million unpaid/family caregivers are caring for someone with dementia right now. Many are doihng this without help or support from other family members. Most family caregivers are women who live with the dementia patient. 1/4 have kids they are also providing for, placing them in the "sandwich generation". 30% of family caregivers are 65 and older, many with health concerns...

Esther Greenhouse is an environmental gerontologist and longevity strategist who helps people stay independent as they age - physically and financially. As president of Silver to Gold Strategies, she advises financial and long-term care propgrams on reducing preventable caregiving needs and costs. Her Enabling Design Method has shaped national age-friendly initiatives and helped her own mother age...