Another year has come and gone! I hope it was filled with good memories and plenty of laughs. As we step into this month's topic, I want to share something personal that my wife, Jacquie, and I are dealing with—and I bet many of you are too, whether for yourselves or for your parents. While I've penned a few articles on Long-Term Care (LTC) in the past, this one has a twist: it's from the perspective of a child watching out for their parents.
Here's the scoop: both my parents and Jacquie's folks are still with us and going strong in their mid-eighties. Longevity runs in both our families, so we're bracing for the long haul—think mid- to late-nineties! All of our grandparents spent time in nursing facilities, with stays ranging from a few months to an impressive 16 years (early onset Alzheimer's). Now, here's the kicker: none of our parents have active LTC plans! They once did, but as life goes, those plans fell by the wayside...
Exploring Our Options
So, what are we looking at now? We're exploring our options. The good news is there are still options!
One option is to rearrange assets to qualify for Medicaid. This wouldn't be done until nursing care becomes absolutely necessary, but we need to start planning now, as Medicaid has a five-year look-back period. This look back could mean that gifted assets are counted as part of the estate and would then disqualify them for the help we are aiming to receive. It's a bit of a maze, but with the right advisor, and the right mix of cleverly designed financial products... there is help.
Another option is to look at the possibility of using a reverse mortgage, though that option depends on there being enough equity in the property to hold up to the tremendous expenses associated with Long-Term Care.
The takeaway? If you're in good health, now is the perfect time to consult with your retirement advisor. Let's create a plan to ensure you and your loved ones are prepared in case a nursing facility or continuous home health care is needed in the future. Trust me, your future self will thank you for taking these proactive steps!
By Marc Frye
Marc Frye provides financial analysis and market commentary for the ARA newsletter, translating complex economic trends into actionable insights for retirees.
You Might Also Like
- HECM vs HELOC: Which Home Equity Option Makes More Sense?
Retirement Planning · Marc Frye - Financial Tip: Understanding Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons
Retirement Planning · Marc Frye - Long-Term Care Insurance - A Financial Necessity
Retirement Planning · Marc Frye
Easy Eddie's Take
Marc's situation hits close to home for so many families. Let's take a look at what those options really mean in practical terms for 2026. When we talk about Medicaid planning, we're dealing with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rules that protect about $154,140 in assets for a community spouse (that's the 2026 figure), while the rest typically needs to be spent down or properly repositioned. The five-year look-back period Marc mentions is real—any gifts or transfers made since 2021 could create penalties if someone applies for Medicaid nursing home coverage today.
A lot of people ask me, "What does long-term care actually cost these days?" In Arizona, we're looking at around $6,000 to $8,000 monthly for assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities often run $8,000 to $12,000 per month. That's where reverse mortgages can help—the FHA Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program lets homeowners 62 and older tap their equity without monthly payments, which can fund care while preserving other assets for Medicaid planning.
Here's the good news: even if traditional long-term care insurance isn't in the picture anymore, hybrid life insurance policies with LTC riders and annuities with care benefits are still available for people in their seventies and early eighties. A little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.