Long-term care coverage helps protect an insured from the high costs associated during assisted living. According to the AOA (administration on aging) 70% of the people turning 65 will need some form of long-term care in their Lifetimes. Most long-term care plans become payable when an insured cannot perform at least 2 of the 6 ADLs (activities of daily living). The 6 ADLS include:
- Bathing – Washing yourself by sponge bath; or in either a tub or shower, including the process of getting into and/or out of the tub or shower.
- Continence – Ability to maintain control of bowel and bladder functions; or when unable to maintain control of bowel or bladder functions, the ability to perform associated personal hygiene (including caring for catheter or colostomy bag).
- Dressing – Putting on and taking off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners or artificial limbs. This includes buttoning buttons and tying shoes.
- Eating – Ability to, without the aid of another person, maintain an adequate food and fluid intake consistent with dietary needs.
- Toileting – Getting to and from the toilet, getting on and off the toilet and performing associated personal hygiene.
- Transferring – Moving into or out of a bed, chair or wheelchair. Transferring does not include the task of getting into or out of the tub or shower.
Long-term care also commonly includes in-home care and a variety of other services beyond the basic ADLs. Furthermore certain long-term care plans can also serve as a life insurance benefit as well. The advisable age to apply for long-term care is age 60.