Few things can test the resilience of one's financial foundation like the sudden onset of a chronic illness or condition that requires long-term care (LTC). Not surprisingly, the probability of this type of event increases in tandem with longevity.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that nearly 70 percent of people over 65 will likely require some form of long-term care. Despite the undeniable need, a Northwestern Mutual 2014 Long-Term Care Study revealed a number of sobering realities regarding Americans' state of preparedness.
According to the findings, though three quarters of Americans agree that the importance of LTC planning is greater as Americans live longer, only a fraction have addressed their own care or understand their family members' wishes regarding LTC.
Long-term care events and the resulting financial and lifestyle implications can impact any age group, the Sandwich Generation being particularly vulnerable. This sizeable segment of the population, usually between 40 and 60 years old, is most likely to be supporting both their own children and elderly relatives.
Ironically, despite shouldering this significant dual pressure, Northwestern Mutual's 2014 Planning & Progress Study showed that people in this age group are least likely to consider themselves "highly disciplined" or "disciplined" financial planners.
Fail to Plan…
Aside from the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, the economic impact of an unanticipated illness or accident should not be underestimated. Northwestern Mutual's Cost of Long-Term Care Study found that the national average cost of a private room in a nursing home exceeds $90,000 a year. Therefore, it's not surprising that, in AARP research, nearly half of working caregivers said that caregiving has caused them to use up all or most of their savings.
Similarly, in our 2014 study, more than half of future caregivers stated that they anticipate a hit to their budgets and retirement plans. Formal care, however, is just a small piece of the puzzle. Reports show that approximately 87 percent of Americans who need long-term care receive it from informal or unpaid caregivers. For a family caregiver 50 years or older who leaves the workforce to fulfill caregiving obligations, this could mean more than $300,000 in lost salary and benefits over a lifetime, according to the AARP.
