Prevention, “Caring for Mom & Dad: Timing the Talk”, Mark S. Lachs, MD, MPH, with Pamela Boyer, January, 2003, p. 154.

This little magazine has been around for many years at grocery store checkout counters, and it’s great that this topic has made it to such a commonly purchased publication. I bought it for the Dr. Atkins’ diet article cited on the cover, without realizing the LTC article was in it! There’s great practical advice about how to bring up the subject with parents and a solid recognition that “at some point, care demands exceed the ability of even the most competent informal, family or professional caregiver to meet all the needs of a frail older person alone”, which can result in inferior care, social isolation of both patient and caregiver and, the article stresses that most importantly, it can lead to caregiver burnout, which renders the caregiver useless to anybody.

The last paragraph is wonderful. This physician author says, “I’m constantly urging patients, friends, and family to at least explore the possibility of long-term care insurance. No, I don’t get a commission, and no, it’s not the right move for everyone, but I’ve seen both the emotional and economic toll that long-term care needs can have on a family. A good long-term care policy lets you spend the benefits dollars on long-term care in the venue of your choice—on adult day care, home care, nursing home care, etc.” This quote is so good that you’ll probably see it in the 2003 version of my book, Long-Term Care: Your Financial Planning Guide, due out in April, 2003.

There’s also a reference to a booklet “Having the Conversation about Long-Term Care” from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living at 800-628-8140 or see www.prevention.com/links to their website.