Glossary of unfamiliar and often misunderstood terms associated with long term care

Here are some of the terms you may frequently encounter as you and your family address the challenges associated with long term health care.

Adult Day Care. Services that provide an environment for functionally and/or cognitively impaired individuals that promote the individual’s well-being and enable them to live more independently. These services also provide a break to family members providing care. Some services focus on social activities, meals, recreation, and non-medical interventions such as basic care, supervision, social activities, transportation. Other services provide nursing supervision and medical monitoring, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Agent versus broker. An agent works for a particular insurance company. In return for training, agents sell products the company offers. A broker is an independent business person who represents many insurance companies, permitting more flexibility in researching and designing solutions best suited for their clients.

Caregivers. Caregivers are those who accept responsibility for providing support for those, typically parents, requiring long term care. Support typically involves assistance with everyday living needs, errands and shopping, transportation to medical appointments, and - -often- -financial assistance. The majority of caregivers are daughters (83%, spouses (6%), and professionals (11%) with varying skills.

Connecticut Partnership for Long Term Care. This is a partnership between the State of Connecticut and insurance companies selling Long Term Care insurance in the State, which sets standards, supports education and dialog, and helps protect the assets insured individuals. Learn more here.

Family dynamics. This refers to the relationships between parents and children, in particular, the strain associated with caregiving and financial support. Unless anticipated and prepared for, the stress and costs of providing long term care can drive children apart from each other and have significant impact on the caregiver’s own health.

Health insurance versus long term care insurance. Most health insurance is designed to cover expenses associated with acute, i.e., temporary, medical conditions, i.e., immediate treatment for heart attack, etc. Long term care insurance, however, treats a broader range of chronic, or on-going, costs, such as support for those who need specialized daily assistance or living accommodations.

Look-back period. This refers to the time frame the Connecticut Medicaid program checks an individual’s financial records to see if assets were transferred to another party, for less than fair value, in order to qualify for benefits. Effective February 8, 2006, the look-back period was changed to 5 years. Misrepresentation may delay benefits for up to 5 years.

Negative inheritance. A term coined by Laurence Kotlikoff, a professor at Boston University. Negative Inheritance occurs when the costs to the children of caring for aging parents exceed the potential gifts, or bequests the children may receive in return. Negative Inheritance is often caused by families who fail to openly address the possibility of future long term health care needs.

Questions about long term health care in Connecticut?

Contact us for qualified assistance. We specialize in helping Connecticut residents prepare for possible long-term health care needs.

Glastonbury office
Paul Haas, (860) 659-1301
Peter Haas, (860) 659-1301

New Fairfield office
Tim Haas, (203) 746-5077

Address your family’s long term health care issues before it’s too late!

Begin by acknowledging the issues facing many families in Connecticut, here.