For most of her life, Joan was a woman known for her independence. "She did everything on her own," notes her daughter, Susan. "This happened suddenly, and it was a life-altering experience."
Joan was diagnosed with congestive heart failure with cognitive impairment, which made it impossible for her take care of herself. "For my mother, this was like being thrown into the ocean," Susan recalls. "Her long term care coverage was her lifeline."
Our long term care benefit provides financial assistance when a covered individual needs help with two or more activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating or dressing. Options include benefits to cover assistance in the familiar surroundings of home or in a nursing care facility.
Nearly 57 percent of long term care claims submitted to Unum are for people under age 65.
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The national average cost of a private room in a nursing home is about $70,000 a year.
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The national average hourly rate for a home health aide is $25. Based on this rate, four hours of home health aide services daily would total about $36,500 a year.
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The national average base rate for private room in assisted living care is about $33,300 per year.
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