Although planning for our twilight years should be on the top of our list of priorities, often times it’s not. For starters, most of us don’t want to think about getting old and potentially needing assistance. Compounding that is the fact that many individuals don’t even know where to start.
One way to bring twilight planning to the top of the list is with the help of the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information website. Founded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the website provides information and resources to help a family or an individual plan for future long-term care needs. It was created to foster understanding in regard to what long-term care is, how and where individuals can get information and services, and sometimes most important, how to pay for those services.
“People often put off planning for long-term care because they do not want to think about a time when they might need it,” the NCLTCI’s website explains. “Most people first learn about long-term care when they

or a loved one needs care. However, if you wait until you need services to start planning, your options may be limited. You may not be able to find the information you need to make decisions. You may not have the money you need to pay for the services you want. Or you may have to rely on your family or others to make decisions for you.”
Considering the statistics – about 70 percent of people over the age of 65 require some type of long-term care – there’s a good chance that the need may arise. Therefore, exploring the options and planning ahead only makes sense.
The NCLTCI’s website has information about why it’s important to plan ahead, considerations that must be made, the steps to developing a well-thought-out plan and how to find services when the time comes. And we here at FHC are happy to help, as well. If you have questions that can only be asked over the phone or in person, we encourage you to reach out to us. We understand the importance of developing a plan early on, and we’re excited to help you get that priority back at the top of the list.