My clients need me 25 years before they think they need me
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Release Date: 02/19/2026
When is it not a good idea to buy LTC insurance?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week, Diane shares some situations when LTC insurance may not be the answer for a family. It's clear that if Diane and her husband had listened to this advice 25 years ago, they would not own LTC insurance today, and they would not be approved by almost every company that offers these plans if they were looking for answers today. To be clear, this is not all or nothing. There are always circumstances that could alter these points. The important thing to know is that, when it IS appropriate to transfer some of your risk to insurance, do it as soon as you can to obtain the lowest total...
info_outline
What are typical exclusions with LTC insurance?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Mike emailed asking about typical exclusions or pre-existing concerns with LTC insurance. LTC insurance is governed by Internal revenue Code (IRC) 7702(b). To be able to offer insurance, companies must adhere to this rule. American Association for LTC insurance (AALTCi) has many resources available on this You can view both current and projected costs of care where you live at I strongly suggest using a 4 or 5% cost of living factor when checking future costs. I think we'd be lying to ourselves if we believe the costs of care will be lower than that in the...
info_outline
What's on the menu?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Just send me a quote can be compared to going out for dinner, but on a bigger level. When we go out to eat, we consider how hungry we are, what atmosphere we want for dining, what fits our budget, what kind and amount of food we want, and more. We need to plan for LTC needs the same way. Where would we want to live? Who will be providing care? How can we afford this? What companies and plans will consider our health risk? As a planning specialist, I have several insurance companies (restaurants) with various planning and funding options (menu). LTC planning can seem overwhelming,...
info_outline
Which is my favorite hybrid LTC plan?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week, because I was the primary caregiver for our very sick dog, I exhausted myself for 10 days (nothing compared to caring for a parent or grandparent for several years). We're replaying one of your most listened to episodes about hybrid life/LTC plans as a refresher. Learn current and projected costs of care where you live at Learn what each state let's you keep to qualify for Medicaid at and please note that if you request to meet with a specialist from this website, you'll need to ask for me specifically as there are six specialists on this team. Schedule an introductory meeting...
info_outline
What's Your Long Term Care Plan?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
As promised, here is the link to view my dog's awesome workout routine on Facebook He's doing a little better each day and will hopefully be back to normal in a few more days. On long term care, we all have a plan. Some of us know what our plan is, and some are leaving the decisions up to others, maybe family, maybe the state Medicaid system. In either case, if our memory is fading, or if our decision making skills diminish, we can't be involved in those decisions, and the people around us are stuck tryuing to figure out what we would have wanted. If we have these conversations 10-20-30...
info_outline
Guest Interview: Mary Ellen Gilbert with Navacare
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week, my guest Mary Ellen Gilbert with shares how we can see the early signs that an aging parent or family member needs more support, even when they insist they're fine. She shares how her company helps families find the right place where their loved one can be the most comfortable at a time when nothing seems comfortable. We need to understand that the person in need is not resisting the help; they're resisting losing thier independence. That we can help them stay as independent as possible with the right support. We need to have these conversations early, so we're not scrambling...
info_outline
How to keep our parents from ruining our plans
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
We all want to wait as long as we can to buy LTC insurance. Too often, health concerns diminish or eliminate what can be offered. In this week's episode, Diane shares consequences that show up when our parent's health and care needs interfere with our ability to plan well. If we implement and start paying the premiums earlier, we can fully fund our policies before mom or dad needs our money and/or our time because they had failed to prepare for their own care needs. If we could completely fund our plan before mom or dad asks for $2000/$4000/$6000 every month for their care, then we...
info_outline
Where are we most independent as we age?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week we turn independence upside down. We think we're independent when we can live and receive care in our homes, but that forces our family to reshape their lives to support our progressing needs. Then families feel really bad when they realize they can't do it - they never knew how much work and time it takes. So many parents beg their children to never "put" them somewhere. Or when the subject comes up, they exclaim, "I'm not ready yet!" But then, after they do move to Senior Living, the new exclamation becomes "OMG, why didn't I move her sooner?" ...
info_outline
He walked out on us
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
In almost three decades, I've been asked to leave, I've been hung up on, I've been sworn at and more. But only one person actually got up and walked out of the meeting. This week, I'm talking about dads. The 82 year olds and the 32 year olds and how the role is changing for the better, in my opinion. Men are stepping up to help more with the kids and to just be present for them. It's a choice. It's also a choice to prepare today for a time when it may be harder to do the things that are taken for granted today, like putting on socks and shoes, or walking up steps...
info_outline
What is LTC Partnership and how can it help me?
Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
This week, we learn about how state LTC Partnership programs started and how they developed over time to include most states. What is Long Term care Partnership? Why is this an effective way to help middle income and middle asset families protect savings when long term care is needed. Who benefits from these kinds of plans? The American Association for Long Term Care Advocacy has a ton of inormation on Partnership and may other subjects. You can find it You can view both current and projected costs of care )please be realistic and use 5% annual inflation Learn what state...
info_outlineI get so many calls from families trying to find caregiving support answers for their older parent or relative.
They've reached a point where they are overwhelmed and need help providing for their loved one.
This is not the time to look for insurance.
The choices are limited and have higher costs because at age 75 or 80, we're close to or at the age when the insurance companies think we'll open a claim.
That parent should have considered LTC funding options at 50 or 55.
But 50 and 55 year olds too often believe we'll be in the same health mentally and physically at 75 or 80, and that's usually not the case.
We need to plan for this WAY before that need shows up.
Parents who waited too long must encourage their kids to plan now so this doesn't turn into a never ending cycle of kids spending all of their time and money providing for parents and then not being able to provide for themselves later, depending on their kids' time and money, etc.
I promised links to learn more about Medicaid.
This link shows what each state let's us keep to be financially eligible for Medicaid benefits: What your state let's you keep
This link shares how each state qualifies an individual for Medicad benefits: Elder Law Answers
Schedule with me here to start working on your plan to protect your family, assets and choices and avoid being told where to live by the state.