November Is Long-Term Care Awareness Month: Plan Now for the Care You'll Need Later
We insure our cars, homes, and lives to help protect the people and things we value. But long-term care, the ongoing help someone may need with everyday tasks, can be one of the largest expenses families haven’t planned for. Long-term care planning gives you time to talk through choices before a health event makes those choices urgent.
November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, a useful reminder for older adults and their families to start that conversation. As a local independent agency, we help people think through coverage and planning options across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington.
1. The “silver tsunami” is about care needs, not just age
As today’s 60- to 80-year-olds grow older, more families may face decisions about ongoing care. But needing help is not limited to old age. People can need long-term care after an illness, injury, or health change at a younger age, too.
Long-term care can include assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom. It may also involve help with housekeeping, meals, transportation, or managing day-to-day tasks.
National figures vary depending on the year and how “long-term care” is defined. Historical estimates have put the number of Americans needing long-term services and supports at more than 12 million, with roughly 4 in 10 under age 65. Other estimates suggest more than 60% of people over 65 may need some form of long-term care during their lifetime. These are estimates, not predictions for any one person. Family Caregiver Alliance offers background on commonly cited figures.
The main point is simple: care needs can affect people at different ages, and your family may benefit from discussing them before a crisis.
2. The “final discharge” can bring a family to a crossroads
Imagine a loved one leaving the hospital after an illness or fall. The care team says they are not ready to return home alone, or may not be able to live independently anymore. They need help with bathing, getting dressed, eating, housekeeping, or keeping track of bills.
The family now has to make fast decisions: Who can provide care? Where will that care happen? How will it be paid for? A sudden change in health can turn those questions into a family crisis, especially if no one has discussed the person’s preferences or gathered key documents.
Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing long-term custodial care. It is different from certain short-term skilled nursing services Medicare may cover when eligibility requirements are met. Medicare.gov explains what long-term care is and what Medicare does and does not cover.
Planning ahead cannot prevent every health change, but it can give your family a starting point when decisions feel overwhelming.
3. Care costs vary, and can add up quickly
The cost depends on where care is provided, how many hours are needed, and the level of support required. In California, families may see assisted-living or board-and-care estimates around $5,600 to $8,000 a month, sometimes with added care costs. Local prices can differ.
For a more current benchmark, CareScout’s 2025 Cost of Care Survey, published in 2026, reported a California median of about $7,000 a month for assisted living. The survey also reported a median of about $146,000 a year for a semi-private nursing-home room. These are survey medians, not quotes or guaranteed prices. Actual costs vary.
Home care estimates may range from roughly $28 to $48 an hour, depending on the area and type of help. The total cost depends on how often care is needed. Even a few hours each day can add up over time.
Families may use savings or other resources to pay for care. Some consider selling a life insurance policy, a reverse mortgage, help from family, or long-term care insurance. A reverse mortgage has specific requirements, including rules about occupancy of the home. Self-funding also calls for careful planning and may have tax effects.
Compare local costs and funding approaches before relying on a single estimate. For tax or legal questions, consult a licensed tax professional or attorney.
4. A plan can protect family choices and caregivers, too
Without a plan, families may have to decide quickly which assets to use, who will provide care, and where a parent or partner will live. Planning gives the person who may need care a chance to share their preferences. It can also help a spouse or partner think through how to protect their own needs and resources.
Caregiving can affect the caregiver’s health, time, work, and finances. Adult children or partners may feel stress, spend less time with their own families, lose income or career opportunities, or use their retirement savings. If cognitive impairment is involved, choices may become more complex and support needs can change over time.
A plan won’t remove every challenge. But it can help family members understand the person’s wishes and where to begin. That can make a difficult transition more manageable.
5. Explore how care might be funded
Long-term care insurance is one option to discuss as part of a broader financial plan. Depending on the contract and eligibility requirements, coverage may help pay for certain care expenses. It may also help protect retirement savings for their intended purpose, give you more choices about where care takes place, and reduce some of the financial and caregiving pressure on family members.
There are different types of coverage. Traditional long-term care insurance is designed to provide benefits for qualifying care needs. Some “hybrid” options combine life insurance or an annuity with a long-term care rider. Features, costs, eligibility, and benefits vary by contract, so it is important to review the details rather than assume that one approach fits everyone.
Some people may choose to use their own assets to pay for care. That can be a valid choice, but it should be considered carefully and well before care is needed. Business owners may also want to ask their financial and tax professionals whether company coverage or voluntary employee benefits could fit their situation. Tax treatment depends on individual and business circumstances.
Your specific situation matters. An experienced broker can help you compare available coverage options and costs without promising a particular outcome. You can also read our overview of traditional and hybrid long-term care coverage.
Start the discussion, and give your family direction
Have a family dinner and talk about what a long-term care plan could look like. Start with practical questions:
- Who would help make care decisions?
- Where would you prefer to receive care: at home, in a community setting, or in a nursing home?
- Which family members may be able to help, and what support would they need?
- How might care be paid for?
Gather important documents in one place, including wills, trusts, legal and financial records, health information, veterans’ documents, real estate records, and special-needs documents. Then decide how the plan will be funded. Long-term care insurance may be one way to transfer some financial risk, subject to the terms of coverage. Options can be reviewed in light of your needs, family, legacy goals, and budget.
With a plan, your choices can help guide your loved ones through a difficult time.
Soledad Ramirez
SR Insurance Services Inc
Licensed in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington
Phone: 619-519-4217
Email: soledadinsagent@gmail.com
Website: www.srinsurancebroker.com
As a licensed broker in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington, Soledad can help you explore your options. No cost, no obligation to start a conversation. Call 619-519-4217 or email soledadinsagent@gmail.com to discuss long-term care planning.
SR Insurance Services Inc is an independent licensed insurance agency. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Coverage availability and rates vary by individual circumstances.
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- Meta description: Learn how long-term care planning can help families prepare for care needs, costs, and choices across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington.
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Social Media Repurposing
We insure our cars, homes, and lives, but many families have not talked about how they would handle ongoing care if a loved one could no longer live independently.
Long-term care planning is more than a conversation about insurance. It means discussing care preferences, family roles, documents, and how care might be funded. Medicare generally does not cover ongoing custodial care, so it’s worth understanding the options before a hospital discharge or health change puts the family under pressure.
November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month. It’s a good time to ask: Who would help make care decisions? Where would you prefer to receive care? What support might caregivers need?
Soledad Ramirez of SR Insurance Services Inc works with individuals and families across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington to review coverage options. No cost, no obligation to start a conversation.
Read the full article: SR Insurance Services Inc blog
Call 619-519-4217 or email soledadinsagent@gmail.com.
We plan for cars, homes, and retirement, but have you talked with your family about long-term care?
A health change can bring quick questions: Who will help? Where would care happen? How might it be paid for? Medicare generally does not cover ongoing custodial care, so planning ahead can give your family a place to start.
This November, make time for a family conversation. Gather important documents, discuss care preferences, and explore possible ways to fund care. Your choices can help guide the people you love.
Soledad Ramirez | SR Insurance Services Inc
Serving California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas & Washington
📞 619-519-4217
📧 soledadinsagent@gmail.com
#LongTermCarePlanning #LongTermCareAwareness #RetirementPlanning #FamilyCaregiving #SeniorPlanning #California #Arizona #Nevada #Texas #Washington
November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month. A good reminder to talk with your family about what you would want if you needed ongoing help with everyday tasks.
Planning can include deciding who would help with care decisions, where you might prefer to receive care, which documents to gather, and how care could be paid for. Medicare generally does not cover ongoing custodial care, so it helps to understand your options before an urgent situation arises.
Soledad Ramirez at SR Insurance Services Inc serves individuals and families across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington. Call 619-519-4217 or email soledadinsagent@gmail.com to start a no-cost, no-obligation conversation.
What is one question you think every family should discuss when planning for future care?
Pull Quotes
- “Planning ahead gives your family a starting point when care decisions feel overwhelming.”
- “Your choices can help guide your loved ones through a difficult time.”
- “Long-term care planning is a family conversation about care, choices, and funding.”
Email Newsletter Blurb
November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month. Our new article explains why care needs can affect people at different ages, what Medicare generally does not cover, and how families can discuss care preferences, documents, caregivers, and funding options. Start a conversation with Soledad Ramirez at 619-519-4217 or soledadinsagent@gmail.com. Read the full article on the SR Insurance Services Inc blog.