“The Impact of Cognitive Decline on Families’ Finances: RBC Survey,” by Emily Zulz, ThinkAdvisor “The survey found that among those who provide financial support to an older relative, the average monthly contribution is $403. Twenty-two percent contribute $500 to $999, and 14% contribute more than $1,000.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): $403 a month could have bought the aging elder a very nice LTCI policy … before it became a recurring caregiver expense.  
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“Spending dips on health care for the Medicare elderly,” ScienceDaily “Health care spending among the Medicare population age 65 and older has slowed dramatically since 2005, and as much as half of that reduction can be attributed to reduced spending on cardiovascular disease, a new study has found. By 2012, those reductions saved the average person nearly $3,000 a year. Across the entire elderly population, those savings add up to a whopping $120 billion, with about half of those savings coming from Medicare.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Savings now. More spending later
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“Good News for Indemnity Based LTC Coverage,” by Shawn Britt, ThinkAdvisor “Concerns that indemnity policies could be restricted from paying benefits that were previously available or potentially cause unexpected taxation of benefits due to the TCJA have not come to pass. Indemnity benefits remain the same flexible benefits that advisors have been accustomed to presenting to clients; and cash indemnity benefits will continue to offer that extra level of choice and flexibility that clients may find of value.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): I hear sighs of relief.  
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“The Federal Government Will Spend Half Its Budget On Older Adults In Ten Years,” by Howard Gleckman, Forbes “According to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government spent about one-third of its budget on seniors in 2005 (see pages 12-14). By last year, the share grew to 40 percent, or $1.5 trillion. And by 2029, it will rise to half of all non-interest spending, or about $3 trillion. To put it another way, the government will spend about 10 percent of   the nation’s Gross Domestic Product on older adults. In 2005, it spent about 6 percent.” LTC
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“Big rise: More than 43,000 jobs open in long-term care as leaders plot,” by Marty Stempniak, McKnight’s LTC News “New data from the CEB TalentNeuron reveals that as of this week, there are 43,531 jobs posted by direct employers at nursing homes, along with assisted living facilities and continuing care retirement communities. That’s an increase of more than 10,000 positions when compared to a typical month in 2018, the American Health Care Association noted in a blog post Tuesday. ‘There is no question that long-term care providers are dealing with a workforce crisis and one of the main reasons for that is low
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