Our world is crammed full of statistics, and, a good many of them are related to our short-term and long-term health. The latest surveys show that Americans are living longer. Well… hooray to that factoid, and to know that we have a longer life expectancy might just fulfill our every dream and allow us to check off every last bucket list item.
But, the other statistics don’t paint such a rosy picture. Even if you don’t have any health-related genetic issues, and are relatively healthy, it is logical to assume that the older you are, the more likely that long-term care is in the cards for you. Even if you are blessed with good health now, a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or even a history of lackluster diet and exercise habits, could severely debilitate you in later years, thus necessitating long-term care.
Did you know?
- 70% of people who reach the age of 65 can expect to need some form of long-term care during their lifetime?
- Women outlive men by about five years on average, so they are likely to be living solo in the home once their spouse has passed away?
- Disability from an accident or chronic illness accounts for many needing long-term care? Between the ages of 40-50, 8% of people have a disability which might require long-term care services and after age 90, the percentage jumps to a whopping 69%.