Helping Families Navigate Long Term Care Insurance For In-Home Care Services

Support for Families Navigating the Long Term Care Insurance Claims Process

For many families, planning for the future means thinking about how to care for aging loved ones, and ways to pay for in-home care. When a parent or spouse begins to need help with activities of daily living (ADLs), those costs often aren’t covered by health insurance or Medicare. That’s where long-term care insurance  can make all the difference.

At Assistance Home Care, we know that understanding and accessing your long-term care benefits can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer dedicated support from our in-house Long Term Care Insurance Specialist, who helps families take the next step, whether that’s initiating a claim, managing daily care logs, or understanding what’s covered.

What Is Long-Term Care Insurance?

Long-term care insurance is designed to reimburse policyholders for care costs when they need help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, or medication reminders,especially when those needs are non-medical in nature.

Depending on the policy, LTC insurance can cover a range of services, including:

• In-home care through trusted home care providers like Assistance Home Care

• Care in assisted living, memory care communities, or skilled nursing facilities

• Temporary or ongoing support, depending on the policy’s benefit period

Key terms to know include:

• Daily Benefit Amount – the maximum daily reimbursement the policy allows

• Elimination Period – the number of days you pay out of pocket before benefits begin

• Benefit Period – how long the benefits are available once you qualify

Why Families Choose LTC Insurance

Purchasing long-term care insurance before a health crisis occurs allows families more flexibility and less financial stress when care is needed. It’s particularly valuable for families who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford to self-fund home care long-term.

But even when a loved one has LTC insurance, accessing those benefits isn’t always easy. Many families face delays or confusion around the claims process, leading to unnecessary stress at an already difficult time.

How In-Home Care Supports Daily Living

One of the most common reasons families begin exploring long-term care insurance is because their loved one needs help with everyday tasks,also known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These are essential to maintaining a person’s safety, comfort, and independence at home. Understanding the difference between ADLs and IADLs can help families identify when it’s time to seek support and what kind of care may be covered by their LTC insurance policy.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to basic self-care tasks that many people do without assistance—but which can become challenging due to age, injury, or chronic conditions. These home care services include:

• Bathing – Getting in and out of the tub or shower and washing safely

• Dressing – Selecting appropriate clothing and getting dressed

• Toileting – Using the bathroom independently and maintaining hygiene

• Eating – Feeding oneself or receiving assistance with meals

• Transferring – Moving from one position to another (e.g., bed to chair)

• Continence – Managing bladder and bowel functions

When someone has difficulty performing two or more ADLs, it’s often a trigger for activating long-term care insurance benefits. Our Care Professionals are specially trained to support these sensitive tasks with dignity and respect, helping our clients remain safe and cared for at home.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) go a step further and reflect the more complex tasks required to live independently. These include:

• Meal preparation and grocery shopping

• Medication management and reminders

• Housekeeping and laundry

• Transportation to appointments or errands

• Managing finances or mail

While IADLs may not seem as urgent as ADLs, challenges in these areas are often the first sign that a loved one needs extra help. At Assistance Home Care, we tailor our in-home care plans to meet each client’s specific ADL and IADL needs. Whether someone requires a few hours of help each week or around-the-clock support, our care teams step in to lighten the load and promote independence wherever possible.

When combined with long-term care insurance benefits, in-home care becomes a powerful solution that allows older adults to age in place while ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being every step of the way.

We’re Here to Help You Navigate

Filing a claim shouldn’t be a guessing game. At Assistance Home Care, we help policyholders and their families:

• Understand their policy details, including what’s covered, the elimination period, and how to maximize benefits

• Initiate claims with the necessary documentation

• Coordinate daily care logs and provide ongoing communication to insurance carriers

• Act as a liaison between families and their LTC insurance provider, helping reduce the paperwork burden

Our goal is to simplify the process so that families can focus on what matters most: spending meaningful time together.

Personalized Support at No Extra Cost

There’s no extra charge for the guidance of our LTC Specialist, it’s part of the compassionate care we provide. Whether you’re just beginning to explore care options or are ready to activate a policy, our Team can help review your policy, answer questions, and walk with you through every step of the claims journey.

If your loved one needs care now or you’re preparing for what’s ahead, don’t wait to explore your long-term care insurance benefits. We’ll help you understand your options and get the support you need.

Need Help Starting a Claim? Have Questions About How to Get Started?
Assistance Home Care is proud to support families in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Chicago. Connect with our local Team today to speak with our Long Term Care Insurance Specialist and learn how we can help you get the most out of your policy.