Protect what you've worked for and keep your options open.
Planning for long term care gives you control over your future.
Let's Talk About Something Most People Avoid
I get it — planning for long term care isn't fun. But here's the thing: if you're turning 65, you have a 70% chance of needing some kind of extended care in your lifetime. That could mean help at home, assisted living, or a nursing facility.
Without a plan to pay for it, those costs can wipe out your retirement savings, force you to sell your home, and put tremendous pressure on your family. I've seen it happen right here in Los Osos and across the Central Coast. And it doesn't have to be that way.
What Does Long Term Care Actually Cost?
Let me give you the numbers we're seeing in California:
- Nursing Home Care: $100,000+ per year (In California, a private room runs over $130,000 annually)
- Assisted Living: $60,000 per year (Median cost for a one-bedroom unit in our area)
- Home Health Aide: $30-35 per hour (If you need daily help at home, you're looking at $70,000+ per year)
How long will you need care? Women typically need care for about 3.7 years, men for about 2.2 years. But some people need it for much longer — 10, 15, even 20 years. A three-year nursing home stay could cost $400,000 or more.
What Medicare and Health Insurance Won't Cover
Here's what surprises most people: Medicare and your regular health insurance don't cover long term care.
Medicare only covers:
- Short-term skilled nursing care (up to 100 days) after a hospital stay
- Part-time medical care at home — not help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating
What about Medicaid? Yes, Medicaid will pay for long term care — but only after you've spent down almost everything you own. Your savings, your retirement accounts, potentially your home. Plus, many facilities don't accept Medicaid, so your choices become very limited.
The bottom line: Long term care insurance lets you protect what you've built and gives you control over where and how you receive care.
Is Long Term Care Insurance Right for You?
You're a good candidate if:
- You Have Assets to Protect: If you've built up retirement savings, own your home, or have other assets worth protecting, LTC insurance keeps you from having to spend it all on care. Generally, if your net worth is between $200,000 and $2 million, you should seriously consider it.
- You Want to Stay Independent: Most people want to stay in their own home as long as possible. LTC insurance can pay for home health aides and services that make that possible.
- You Want to Protect Your Spouse: If your care costs eat up your joint savings, what happens to your spouse's retirement?
- You Don't Want to Burden Your Kids: "I don't want my children to have to take care of me or pay for my care." LTC insurance takes that burden off their shoulders.
When should you buy it? The sweet spot is your 50s or early 60s. You'll pay lower premiums, and you're more likely to qualify health-wise.
What Does LTC Insurance Actually Cover?
Modern policies are flexible. They typically cover:
Care at Home
Where most people want to be — includes home health aides and medical equipment.
Assisted Living Facilities
Residential communities with meals and daily assistance for those who need support.
Nursing Homes
24-hour medical care for those requiring constant supervision and medical attention.
Adult Day Care
Daytime supervision and activities that allow caregivers to work or take breaks.
Memory Care
Specialized care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients in secure facilities.
Additional Benefits
Care coordination, respite care for family caregivers, and caregiver training.
Types of Policies I Recommend
Traditional LTC Insurance
A standalone policy that pays when you need care. Offers comprehensive coverage and inflation protection.
The catch: Premiums can increase over time, and if you never use it, you don't get your money back.
Hybrid Life/LTC Insurance
A life insurance policy that lets you tap into the death benefit early if you need care. If you don't use it for care, it goes to your beneficiaries.
The advantage: Guaranteed premiums that never increase, and your money isn't "lost" if you don't need care.
Hybrid Annuity/LTC Insurance
An annuity that multiplies in value if you need care. Your money grows tax-deferred, and you can access it for care or get it back if you change your mind.
Works best if: You have a lump sum to invest and want tax-advantaged growth with LTC protection.
Which type is right for you depends on your age, health, budget, and goals. That's where I come in — I'll help you figure out what makes the most sense for your situation.
Let's Get You a Personalized Quote
The first step is simple: fill out my Long Term Care Questionnaire. It helps me understand your health, financial situation, and what you're looking for. Then I'll shop multiple highly-rated carriers to find you the best coverage at the best price.
Long Term Care Questionnaire
The questionnaire covers:
- Your current health and family history
- Your financial goals and what you want to protect
- Your preferences for care and coverage
- Your budget
Once I review it, I'll put together personalized recommendations and quotes. No pressure, no obligation — just clear information so you can make the right decision.
Send Me Your Completed Questionnaire
2106 9th Street
Los Osos, CA 93402
Call to Discuss
Don't Put This Off
I've been helping families on the Central Coast plan for long term care for years. The people who wait always wish they'd acted sooner. Premiums go up every year you age, and health issues can pop up that make you uninsurable.
Protect what you've worked for. Give yourself options. Let's talk.