Marines Encouraged to Invest in Family Health

QUANTICO, Va. — If a Marine and their spouse are gravely injured in an accident and are in need of long-term care to help with daily activities like bathing or eating, the Marine will likely receive some assistance through Veterans Affairs if they served during any wartime. The spouse, however, will be left to pay out of pocket.

TRICARE offers skilled nurses to handle medical rehabilitation, but they do not offer long-term care to assist with basic activities, which is why Ivette Bennett, life skills trainer with Marine Corps Family Team Building program, encourages military families to have a plan. To help families understand the financial aspect of long-term care, the MCFTB program held a “Who Pays” workshop July 31, at the Religious and Family Services Annex.

Most people don’t consider long-term care insurance until they are between the ages 55 and 65 years old, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. However, Bennett said anyone who has experienced a traumatic accident or has taken care of a chronically ill relative knows the importance of investing in a policy early.

“Having a plan eases the financial burden on family members, which can be expensive and can diminish the quality of life for a caregiver,” Bennett said.

Starting early also allows a person to potentially cut cost of their policy. Stephen Ingalls, long-term care insurance agent at Genworth Financial and workshop instructor said, most insurance companies will offer discounts for age and good health.

Bennett said the goal of the workshop wasn’t to solicit insurance companies, rather to provide people with tools to develop a plan to keep their independence throughout their lifetime and prevent becoming a burden on family members.

Participants were advised to find an insurance professional, decide how much coverage they can afford and find out what health discounts are available. They were also told to think about the cost of long-term care where they currently live and where they plan to retire. Length of coverage depends on personal preference, but the average long term care need is around three years, no more than five.

Monthly cost can vary, but Ingalls said whether someone purchases a small policy or a large extensive one, not doing anything shouldn’t be an option.

“Around 70 percent of people over age 65 will need some type of long-term care services during their lifetime,” Ingalls said. “Therefore, a small policy is better than no policy.”

As important as it is for people to set aside money for emergencies and for the future, the instructor suggested individuals consider the same concept with their personal health.

“Basically, a long-term care plan is like a savings account for you in case something happens,” Ingalls said.

— Writer: [email protected]