Statistics?

A common misconception about long term care is that it is just for the elderly.  Anyone of any age or occupation may need long term care at any time for any length of time. Two examples are the late actor Christopher Reeve who in 1995 at age 42 became paralyzed following an equestrian accident and required 9 years of long term care. Michael J. Fox who in 1991 at age 30 was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

We know of these two because they are public figures. But there are thousands of people under 65 we never hear of who are receiving long term care of some kind from illness, car, motorcycle, sports, or other accidents. One of the biggest threats to your financial security can be the high cost of long term care. The reality is that extended care can be needed by anyone – at any age. Long-term care is the extended care you would need because of chronic illness, injury, or frailty of old age. Early onset Alzheimer’s is defined as the development of the disease before the age of 65 years of age – which accounts for between 6% and 10% of all cases. Some people are as young as 40 years old when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Lets have a look at the salient facts.

• 40% of the population receiving long term care are between the ages of 18 and 64
• the likelihood of disability grows with age:
  • age 44-54: 22.6%
  • age 55-64: 35.7%
  • age 65-69: 44.9%

247 Professional Health supports the all care homes; nursing homes and all other agencies in the quest for better services for all. Healthcare agencies cannot suffer a recession because health doesn’t.

Healthcare provision is therefore not a discretionary purchase.