The "Over-Quoting" Mistake

A huge mistake that many people make when considering LTC insurance is "over-quoting".

Most people do not need to buy coverage for 100% of the cost of the highest-possible cost of care (skilled nursing home), and even shorter benefit periods (3-4 years) will cover the vast majority of care needs.  It's kind of like thinking, "If I can't afford a Mercedes, then I'll just wait for the bus."  It shouldn't be a zero-sum, all-or-nothing decision - that's a HUGE mistake.  A Malibu with cloth seats and a 4-cylinder is great transportation ...
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$3000 a month of LTC insurance benefits will pay for five hours of home care seven days a week, or 10 hours every-other day.  It will cover more than 1/2 of a good Assisted Living Facility in most of the country, and provides a 33% "discount" to a $9000/month bill in a nursing home.

LTC insurance claims data show that 60%+ of claims start at home. Guess what, about 60% of claims also END at home.  Only about 20% of LTC insurance claims end in a nursing home.
The average LTC insurance claim is less than four years, even less than three years for men.  Cover that first before you worry about Alzheimer's care for 6+ years.  If you only buy a 3-year policy (couples can "share" up to a total of 6 years for the price of 3 each), and if you do get Alzheimer's, you will still have much more private-pay flexibility than having nothing.

We need to stop worrying about the cost of care in a facility where most of us are NOT likely to end up (especially with reasonable - and affordable - planning).  We do need to worry about where we will get an extra $3000-$4000 a month to pay for part-time home care so our spouse can have a life, get a good night's sleep, stay healthy, etc., and so our adult kids can be care managers not caregivers.  Home care comes first.  Always.  And this is also where families are personally and financially most at risk when someone they love needs care.

Solve the part-time home care problem first.