Comments on: Why I Wake Up Worrying About The Future

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 08:54:42 +0000

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here, Samantha. I would love to have LTC. I've looked into it myself on numerous occasions, and I've also met with a financial planner who specializes in insurance. No LTC company will insure anyone living with Multiple Sclerosis. It is one of the illnesses on their list of diseases they will never insure. I am in my fifties, so I'm not old and was ready to plan for my future. Should I have looked in my 20's or 30's? Yes. But I still had MS.

Another factor is the expense. LTC is very costly and many people, particularly the disability community who are already paying out-of-pocket expenses for medications, doctor appointments, hospital stays etc., can ill afford the extremely costly premiums.

If you have suggestions please let us know. In the meantime we are uninsurable for LTC. Unfortunately we do have plenty to sorry about. But I thank you for your comments and concerns. Much appreciated.

Cathy

By: Samantha Stein

Samantha Stein — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 22:24:07 +0000

This is exactly why Americans are encouraged to buy long term care insurance early. They can avail of health discounts and avoid being turned down by companies because of their pre-existing conditions. The problem is here lack of information, unpreparedness and the thought that long term care issues can be resolved by families. I feel bad that you are worrying and everyone is also showing big concerns about their future. I just hope our long term care system will improve and for people to be more responsible about their future. Early long term care planning is definitely the key plus consultation with a long term care insurance specialist. Thanks for this, Cathy, definitely an eye-opener.

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 12:11:01 +0000

Wonderful, Graham. I am glad to hear that. Thanks so much for sharing that with us here on my blog. Best to you always, Cathy

By: Graham Forbes

Graham Forbes — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 04:07:01 +0000

Thank you for your kind thoughts. We are very blessed with a great medical support team and friends who are just good friends who have our backs if ever we ask.

We are enjoying our days and creating special moments, literally "making hay while the sun shines".

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:38:46 +0000

I hate cancer so much and I hope you, your wife and son have a good support system to hold you up. Blessings to all of you and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

By: Graham Forbes

Graham Forbes — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 21:50:55 +0000

Thank you for the opportunity you provide for people to share their fears. Ageing is an uncertain territory, but there is much we can do to reduce our own risks of health crisis.
I pay very careful attention to my health and fitness because I have a younger wife who has a terminal cancer, and I need to be around to help her, and our son.

We all need to be responsible for our ageing process.

By: Kit Minden

Kit Minden — Mon, 09 May 2016 07:10:02 +0000

My father's long term care policy was useful. You and I are blessed to have such strong sons who will not let us be without support. Such a blessing is a miracle!

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 06 May 2016 13:35:20 +0000

Oh Cathy, maybe we should call each other when we wake up with those nightmares, I too, worry about how I will cover care taking if my chronic illness progresses. Insurances won't cover me very well due to pre existing conditions. As much as we try to live in the moment, we know better than most how a bad day is just around the corner. Don't you wish we could trust our bodies?

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Thu, 05 May 2016 07:59:04 +0000

So glad my piece was a reminder for you, Cathy. Good luck and please keep me posted how you make out!

By: Cathy Lawdanski

Cathy Lawdanski — Thu, 05 May 2016 04:39:55 +0000

This has been on my "list" for over a year & keeps getting put off. I have also witnesses the cost of care needed for people as they age. Getting on that today!

By: Danie Botha

Danie Botha — Wed, 04 May 2016 22:19:43 +0000

"... So what should I do? Remain calm and live a healthy lifestyle. Now, more than ever, diet and exercise play an important role in my life, one that my future depends on ..."
Yes and no, Cathy.
RRMS: It is no joke and not easy. (I say this as a friend and as a physician.)
The reluctance to "fix" or "heal" healthcare north and south of the border is alarming.
Here's my take:
1. Diet & exercise = crucial. Look into complex exercises, such as Salsa dancing. Regular. Rest periods NB.
2. LTC - take the Nat MS society to task. Organize. Do your research. You already have a voice. Don't back down. Network even wider. And wider.
3. As soon as I'm done with this comment I'll send a couple tweets and see if we can work up a storm/or awareness about LTC for MS, to name one.
You are a very brave lady. We salute you.
Do not give up.
We receive grace, one day at a time-guaranteed.
Thank you for making us aware of the plight of many patients, Cathy!

By: shifrachester@gmail.com

shifrachester@gmail.com — Wed, 04 May 2016 20:27:14 +0000

Smart mama you have!

I hope someday we not only have health insurance allowing pre-existing conditions but also LTC and all insurance plsnd to cover everyone with all conditions. Utopia? Yes. Expensive? Quite. But I think we need to put citizens first before big business. Thanks for sharing your story, Beth. It is greatly appreciated.