What exactly does your health insurance get you?

In a perfect world, health insurance would cover every need and be within your budget.

And while there may be some people who live in that realm, for most of us – and our parents  - health care plans often come up short particularly as our needs increase as we age.

Medicare and supplements cover much of doctor care, hospital stays and prescriptions, but not the extras many find that they need.

If you want to keep Mom in her own home rather than an assisted living facility, you’re going to have to provide a little more help.  It could come from you, or you can contact a home care company to provide help.  Not much, maybe just with meals or cleaning, or to help her bathe or just some companionship.  Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t pay for that.

Providing a caregiver can be expensive – particularly when it’s out-of-pocket whether it’s yours or Mom’s.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the cost of home care in Michigan averages $26 an hour.  With some planning, long-term-care insurance may offer the support many elderly people find they need.

Long term care insurance will help pay for costs for in-home care or in a residential care facility, adult day care or a nursing home according to the Michigan Civil Service Commission.

The premiums for long-term care insurance can be expensive. The Senior Care Active Network (SCAN) found that the average annual premium for long-term care insurance policy purchased in 2010 was approximately $2,255 for people age 55 to 64, $2,759 for those 65-69 and $3,294 for people 70-74 years old.

Even without long-term care insurance, helping care for a loved one and providing the support they need to stay in their own home is certainly an option. The support may come from you, or a home care company like Kindred Spirits Senior Care in Northville.  Our care team will work with you to find the right match for your needs and create a more comfortable environment for your loved one.