
We've all
heard it before - Canadians are living
longer thanks to medical advances and
healthier lifestyles.
But as
Canada's population ages, demands on our
healthcare system and the associated
resources will continue to grow. The longer
people live, the more likely they will need
help with caring for themselves due to aging
or a cognitive impairment. In fact, studies
show that almost half of today's population
will need some form of long term care. And
with long term care is primarily required by
seniors, younger people may also need long
term care.
Living
longer brings with it significant additional
costs of personal care, whether that care is
provided at home or in a facility. Those who
choose to remain at home can incur
significant expenses for personal care and
private nursing over and above the amounts
the provinces will provide. These expenses
can add up to hundreds of thousands of
dollars. For some, it could mean putting
retirement savings at risk, or depleting
assetys. Especially combined with having to
pay for new and very expensive medication.
Most
people learn about long term care the hard
way - when they or their loved one needs
extended care, quite often, it's to late.
It's never too early to plan for the impact
of needing long term care. Planning today
can help protect savings, avoid burdening
loved ones and provide peace of mind for
tomorrow.