Long-term Care Planning Month-The Ideal Time to Start Planning for Retirement

Long-term care planning is a critical part of retirement planning, ensuring that you and your spouse have the assistance and care you require later in life. In observance of long-term care planning month, our assisted living team in Gloucester County is sharing some great advice and tips to make this easier and more effective:

Think about your worst-case scenario. While most people avoid thinking about the worst possibilities, the fact is that taking a realistic look at your position and possible outcomes is the best way of avoiding worst-case scenarios. The first step toward creating a functional long-term care plan is to be thorough and open about your personal situation, spending habits, financial capabilities and care requirements.
Housing considerations. Starting your planning process early allows you to examine the options available in your community and develop a plan that can accommodate your needs as they change. You may want to stay in your current home for the next few years and then find an assisted living community once it becomes too much to handle.

If you or your spouse has health conditions like Alzheimer’s, look at long-term care facilities that offer memory care and therapies while still offering the other an independent lifestyle. This stage is all about knowing the options, what each offers and what they cost.

Health considerations. Even if you are currently in good health, it’s important to have a plan in place to meet your needs or those of your spouse if either of you become seriously ill or disabled. Make sure your wishes are well-known to your dependents, ensure your healthcare directives are up-to-date and talk to your doctor about ways you can better protect your health. It’s also a good idea to ensure that your insurance can adequately cover your needs if your health deteriorates.
Financial considerations. The cost of long-term care is on the rise and is currently sitting at a national average of $97,455 per year for a private room in a nursing home and $45,000 per year at an assisted living facility. This means that having a financial plan in place is essential, so speak to your advisor about how best to fund long-term care, available coverage options and qualifications for Medicaid.

You can get a better idea about the costs involved by visiting local assisted living communities, finding out how much their services cost and what you are getting for your money.

Assisted Living in Gloucester County Means Comprehensive Care and a Warm Community

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality, scalable assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, hospice care, respite care and memory care and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please visit our website at https://umcommunities.org/pitman/ contact us today or book a personal tour.