“The abandonment of the long-term care provisions in the health reform act scared millions of American seniors and their families,” said Evan Tunis, president and CEO of Next Exit Retirement, a Boca Raton long-term care insurance broker or West Palm Beach long-term care insurance broker. “What were they going to do to pay for their pricey nursing home or assisted living care? Given the fact that there are 40.3 million seniors in the U.S., this is a bigger issue than many may think.”

To put these numbers into perspective, Senior Journal released statistics that revealed between 2000 and 2010 people in the 45 to 64-year-old age bracket increased to 31.5 percent of the total population, or 81.5 million individuals.

“That age bracket wasn’t the only one to explode,” added Tunis. “So did the 65 and older demographic, growing at a rate of 15.5 percent and topping out at 40.3 million. Those numbers are significant and those in that age bracket may need long-term care, assisted living facilities to stay independent, or nursing home care. If they don’t have long-term care insurance, this will be a major struggle not only for the individual, but the family.”

Make no mistake, this is a very emotional issue and it has a serious impact on the elderly and their caregivers. The White House said it could not find a plan that offered a reasonable premium, and so they killed it, leaving stunned and frightened seniors and caregivers trying to pick up the pieces. With one in five caregivers scouring the Internet for long-term care information and almost 12 percent of Internet browsers trying to find the same information, this is an issue that will not go away.

Long-term care has a life of its own, particularly since the costs are continually creeping upward. For example, a couple who are 65-years-old or older can expect to pay at least $197,000 for their care. If nursing home care is also a part of the equation, that cost may hit over $260,000 to $570,000. “No one has that kind of money on hand, especially not seniors, and Medicaid does not fill the gaps,” Tunis indicated.

With statistics like this facing the aging American population, it is definitely time to emphasize that buying long-term care insurance when younger is a smart move to protect one’s future. As it stands right now, seniors are faced with a lose-lose situation when it comes to trying to maintain their health. The very people that built the nation are being left out in the cold to fend for themselves because the government, once sworn to protect the rights of everyone, is abandoning them to save money.

“I honestly can’t urge you strongly enough to take your health care into your own hands and plan for the future. It is a critical issue. Calling me now to talk about what long-term care policy would suit your circumstances will give you peace of mind, not to mention that you will be able to maintain your independence later on in life because you planned for the future,” Tunis added.

Evan Tunis is with Next Exit Retirement. To learn more about Boca Raton long-term care insurance or West Palm Beach long-term care insurance visit http://www.nextexitretirement.com.

A recent study released by MetLife Mature Market Institute is a major eye opener for many people, whether they are 65-years-old or younger. There is something to be said for planning for your future health care, and when you read figures like this it is a motivator to check into long-term care insurance. It is your own personal protection and will help you maintain an independent lifestyle on your own terms.

This report revealed that:
– Pricing on a semi-private room is now $214 per day (up 4.4 percent over 2010)
– Assisted living apartments are $3,477 per month (up 5.6 percent over 2010)
– Adult day care services jumped 4.5 percent
– Costs for a home health aide stayed constant at $21.00 an hour
– Costs for a homemaker stayed constant at $19.00 an hour

The report talked about national averages, but did highlight with regional differences, which are an enormous shock. For example, if you wanted an assisted living apartment in Washington, D.C., the highest price in the whole country, you would be shelling out $5,757 a month. If you are asking yourself where you would get that kind of money, it would be a very relevant question.

What is the government going to do about it? They have already pulled the plug on long-term care insurance, citing the inability to find a plan with a reasonable premium. Other than that, they seem to be silent about what they may have, if anything, as an alternative resource.

There may be some good news on the horizon in the form of a slightly higher federal tax deduction in 2012 for those who do happen to have private, long-term care policies. According to the statistics, there are only 8 million out of the 40.3 million seniors that have long-term insurance, which is a pretty dismal figure. Of interest might also be that some states have been known to give credits or deductions on state taxes. Certainly this is not a lot to bank on, and does not address what the 32.3 million will do without long-term insurance.

The bottom line is that it is not only the government who wants to get out of health insurance for older citizens; it is also the insurance companies. They no longer want to take the risks of insuring a high-risk individual. This is not to say that there is not long-term health insurance available for you, because there is. Instead, make sure you get it early and choose a policy that suits you well, so you are paying for something you may use when the time comes. Do not leave long-term health insurance to chance. This is your opportunity to secure insurance that will help you keep your independence on your own terms.

Evan Tunis is with Next Exit Retirement. To learn more about Boca Raton long-term insurance or West Palm Beach long-term care insurance visit http://www.nextexitretirement.com.

Evan Tunis is with Next Exit Retirement. To learn more about Boca Raton long-term care insurance or West Palm Beach long-term care insurance visit http://www.nextexitretirement.com.