“Cognitive decline rates more than double over 10 years: study,” by Alicia Lasek, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “The incidence of cognitive decline more than doubled between 2009 and 2018 among seniors, according to a study published Thursday. … In 2009, physicians recorded 1 new case of cognitive decline for every 1,000 patients observed. This number rose to 3 new recorded cases per 1,000 by 2018. The number of patients reporting concerns about memory remained stable during the study period. … Full findings were published in the journal Clinical Epidemiology.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: Is
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“Where Long-Term Care Insurance Is Heading,” by Margie Barrie, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “One major theme at the ILTCI Conference was the need to use technology better. Another major theme was finding ways to keep long-term care insurance holders in their homes longer. A venture capital firm sponsored a competition for firms with ideas about how to use technology to promote aging in place.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: ILTCI conference news.               Subscribe to GoldenCare News  
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“Opinion: The imperative of equality in long-term care,” by Kathleen D. Hayes and Anna Doroghazi, CTPost Quote: “As we age, long-term care needs threaten the financial stability we aim to achieve. To cover the exorbitant costs of care, many couples turn to Medicaid Title 19.  … Without financial protections in place, families are forced into a mad spending dash, purchasing furniture; renovating the home; purchasing prepaid funerals — in essence, throwing money out the window for the sake of expediting eligibility for vital supports and services. The same vital supports and services that upper middle-class families access with $137,400 of
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  “Time Is on Group Long-Term Care Insurance Sellers’ Side,” by Margie Barrie, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “Many workers are now caregivers. They are hungry for ideas about how to pay for their own care. Text messaging is the new email.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: ILTCI conference news.               Subscribe to GoldenCare News  
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  “How to Grease the Long-Term Care Planning Gears,” by Margie Barrie, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “The ILTCI Conference is meeting in person in Raleigh, North Carolina, this week. Anders Sörman-Nilsson says one key to encouraging planning is to make everything easier. Some of the tools for doing that are smart phones, problem forecasting, story telling and pictures from the future.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: ILTCI conference news.               Subscribe to GoldenCare News  
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  “New Program Can Cover Up to 50 Weeks of Home Care,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “The product can pay $400 to $1,200 per week for care. HCG Brokerage is offering the program to people ages 35 through 84 through a simplified underwriting process. HCG says the applicant acceptance rate is over 85%.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: I recall when we were dubious of home care only plans. Now it seems that’s what consumers want most. Still the question remains. What’s more important to insure: the small risk of a catastrophic
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  “Long-Term Care Players Gather — in Person,” by Margie Barrie, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “Organizers have attracted about 700 LTC industry players to Raleigh, North Carolina. Some sessions deal with topics such as rate increases and actuarial assumptions. One session will look at how LTC advisors can help clients with issues such as caring for children and aging parents at the same time.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: Wishing all a great conference!               Subscribe to GoldenCare News  
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  “To Families’ Dismay, Biden Nursing Home Reform Doesn’t View Them as Essential Caregivers,” by Judith Graham, Kaiser Health News  Quote: “When the Biden administration announced a set of proposed nursing home reforms last month, consumer advocates were both pleased and puzzled. The reforms call for minimum staffing requirements, stronger regulatory oversight, and better public information about nursing home quality — measures advocates have promoted for years. Yet they don’t address residents’ rights to have contact with informal caregivers — family members and friends who provide both emotional support and practical assistance.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term
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  “Bill would reform tax code to make long-term care insurance more affordable, accessible,” by Lois A. Bowers, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Legislation introduced last week in the House of Representatives would reform the tax code in an effort to make long-term care insurance more affordable and accessible for older adults. It has the backing of Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association. … The act would permit people to withdraw funds from their 401(k) accounts, 403(b) accounts and individual retirement accounts to pay for long-term care insurance. Up to $2,500 of a withdrawal used to pay for long-term care insurance would
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