Is Long-Term Care Worth It?
Up to 25% of women require long-term care after a hip fracture.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Discover why your vanishing estrogen is draining both your bone strength AND your savings
Get the honest truth on three insurance options that can keep your retirement funds from bleeding out
Learn exactly when to protect your financial future before your DEXA scan impacts your insurability
BRITTLE BONES, EMPTY POCKETS
Between ages 40-60, that estrogen drop means your body starts dismantling bone faster than your construction crew can rebuild it. The internal framework of your bones gets weaker and thinner day by day, leaving your bones vulnerable and your wallet exposed. Up to 20% of your bone density disappears during menopause transition alone.
One in two of us over 50 will break a bone from osteoporosis. That's not just a health statistic—that's a financial emergency waiting to happen.
Here's what long-term care actually costs in 2024:
Nursing Home (Semi-Private Room): $111,325 annually
Nursing Home (Private Room): $127,750 annually
Assisted Living Community: $70,800 annually
Home Health Aide Services: $75,504 annually (based on 44 hours weekly)
These fractures don't just hurt physically—they devastate finances. Nursing home bills can quickly drain retirement accounts that took decades to build. I've seen it happen repeatedly, which is why financial protection during menopause is just as essential as lifting those weights.
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SIGNING UP FOR
The reality for so many of us is that when it comes to protecting yourself from these costs, not all insurance policies are created equal. The feedback I get consistently from my clients is confusion about which type actually fits their needs.
Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance:
Covers those nursing homes, assisted living, and home health aides
Usually makes you wait 30-90 days before paying a dime (that elimination period is no joke)
Typically covers you for 2-5 years
If you never need long-term care, you won't get any money back from all those premium payments you made over the years
Hybrid Life/Long-Term Care Policies:
Combines life insurance with long-term care benefits
Your family still gets paid if you don't use the care portion
Requires more upfront cash but guarantees some return
More expensive but gives you options on both ends
Life Insurance with Living Benefits:
Let's you tap those death benefits early when you need care
Costs less than those fancy dedicated long-term care policies
Won't cover as much as specialized insurance
Works double-duty for end-of-life and care planning
The difference between these options could mean thousands of dollars either staying in your purse or leaving your bank account.
ACT BEFORE BONE LOSS BEGINS
Believe that—the right time to get this coverage is BEFORE your doctor starts looking concerned about your bone scan results. Let's break it down:
Ages 45-50: The golden window—your health is still good and insurers aren't side-eyeing your medical records
Early 50s: Still smart timing with reasonable premiums before major bone loss kicks in
Mid-50s to early 60s: Still possible but you'll be stretching those dollars 20-45% further for identical coverage
65+: Those premiums shoot up like your blood pressure at Thanksgiving dinner
The truth is—every year you wait after 50 increases what you'll pay by 3-5%, and after 60? That jumps to 6-8% annually. Waiting until after menopause can price you right out of the market.
Insurance companies are scrutinizing your medical records for any hint of bone trouble. Even mild osteopenia can have you watching your dollars disappear for the same coverage. And once you stop hormone therapy? Your bone density drops faster than temperatures in February. Those insurance companies have these statistics memorized—and they price accordingly.
SHARE THIS WISDOM
If this article resonated with you, I'm asking you to share it with 3 women in your life who need this information right now.
Whether they're confused about bone health and insurance costs, worried about retirement risks, or want to confirm they've made the right choices—your forward could protect their financial future. Together, we can get our money right without needing both medical and financial degrees.