According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 70 percent of men and women turning age 65 will need some form of long-term care (LTC) at some point in their lives. That care may come in the form of unpaid "informal" services frequently provided by family members and friends, or from a wide variety of "formal" options, including home care, adult day care centers, respite care, hospice care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Many caregivers need help when it comes to choosing between options and coordinating care. That was the main impetus behind Lincoln Financial launching the Lincoln Concierge Care Coordination tool, a service available to new and existing policyholders of a Lincoln life and long-term care combination product. The product offers:
- Comprehensive lists of local providers and resources — from personal and home health care services to skilled nursing and living options
- An online needs assessment that catalogues the policyholder's current situation and needs to help create a plan for care
- An online library of articles, how-to videos and checklists related to health, aging and elder care
- Access to "Care Circle," a social network designed to aid communication between caregivers and loved ones, keeping everyone connected and informed on the well-being of the policyholder
- Customized care recommendations to help find the appropriate provider to fit client needs
- Access to a dedicated claims specialist to answer questions about policy benefits and assist in the claims process
"Facing a long term care event is challenging enough for individuals and their loved ones, so it's important that the tasks of arranging quality care and support services, or filing claims are as simple as possible," said Michael Hamilton, vice president, linked benefit product management, Lincoln Financial Group.
