Industry leader Phyllis Shelton, President of LTC Consultants, will appear on Lifetime Television's The Balancing Act on July 14 at 7 a.m. EST to set the record straight that the issue of long-term care is not solely a financial problem. It's first and foremost a threat to family relationships, with the burden particularly falling on women.
"The caregiving tsunami that is about to hit this country could be the greatest threat to everything women have accomplished in the workplace. The age 55 segment of the workforce in the United States is the fastest growing segment, and that's when women typically hit their peak earning years with the career they've worked so hard to build. It's also primetime for becoming a caregiver, but it can happen much earlier," says Shelton.
"Most people don't realize that one-third of care recipients who are impaired enough to collect benefits on a long-term care insurance policy are under age 65," Shelton points out. "It is never too soon to talk to your spouse, parents, in-laws, or any extended family members you think you may wind up taking care of about planning for long term care," states Shelton. "Without a plan in place, the pressure of paying for caregiving, both with time and money, can rob your family of important lifestyle choices such as being able to pursue the career of your dreams, provide a child's college education, or fund your own retirement."
A recent Age Wave/Harris survey backs up her opinion. When asked about the most important reason to plan for long-term care, consumers said they are twice as concerned about being a burden on their families as about protecting their assets. They also named emotional strain as the greatest worry about becoming a caregiver, even more than the financial sacrifice.
