The Long Road

"The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 35.6 million. This number will double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050.  Dementia is overwhelming not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families."  World Health Organization

Sobering statistics.  The road of caregiving is long, and according to statistics the need for caregiving is ever increasing.  Readers of this blog, if you know someone who may be facing dementia, please tell them to check into longterm care insurance.  Unless a person is either quite rich or very poor, one will need help in paying for the longterm care.  Wealthy people can pay for the care themselves, and the definition for being wealthy enough to self pay according to a financial adviser is having assets of $3 million or more.  People who have few assets, and I currently do not remember that money amount, might qualify to have the government pay for the longterm care in the USA.  However, there is a downfall for people who go that route.  I am now in the process of finding nursing home care for Dwane, and the first question every facility asks is, "Are you private pay?"  There are so few options for people who are not private pay because the government pays less that the nearly $8000 a month nursing home care costs, and nursing homes are reluctant to take those people.  Sad situation.  I am so grateful that I had the premonition to buy longterm care insurance many years ago..