Where are we most independent as we age?

Where are we most independent as we age?

Author: Diane Stoddart, Certified Long Term Care Consultant, CLTC July 2, 2026 Duration: 11:38
This week we turn independence upside down. We think we're independent when we can live and receive care in our homes, but that forces our family to reshape their lives to support our progressing needs. Then families feel really bad when they realize they can't do it - they never knew how much work and time it takes. So many parents beg their children to never "put" them somewhere. Or when the subject comes up, they exclaim, "I'm not ready yet!" But then, after they do move to Senior Living, the new exclamation becomes "OMG, why didn't I move her sooner?" Senior Living communities are evolving to meet Baby Boomer demands for comfort and activities. Today, the good ones can be considered Resorts with Help. The better ones, with the best employees who can nurture our well-being and create a great culture cost more than others. The median cost for assisted living today across the country is $75,000 annually and is expected to increase to over $200,000 per year in 20 years. That's median, so the resort like places will cost more. We need to prepare today so we can choose where we can live later. View current and projected costs of care (use 5% inflation growth) at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Schedule a brief introductory call or zoom meeting with Diane at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

Diane Stoddart brings a professional yet deeply personal perspective to the complex world of long-term care planning in Preparing For Tomorrow podcast. As a Certified Long Term Care Consultant, she understands that preparing for future care needs involves more than just finances-it's about safeguarding your family's well-being and peace of mind. Each conversation cuts through the industry jargon to clarify the real options available, from insurance products to legal strategies, all aimed at protecting your life savings from being depleted by unexpected care costs. You'll hear Diane break down essential concepts and terms, making a daunting subject feel manageable and urgent. Alongside expert guests, she explores the emotional and physical dimensions of caregiving, offering a holistic view that acknowledges the full weight of these decisions. This isn't about fear; it's about empowerment through knowledge. Tuning into this podcast provides a straightforward guide to creating a practical plan, ensuring you can face tomorrow with confidence rather than anxiety, knowing your loved ones and your legacy are secure.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Podcast Episodes
Nov. is LTC Awareness Month & Family Caregiver Month - coincidence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:01
We need to recognize the contributions and sacrifices that family caregivers make to help those they love who can't provide for their own daily needs. The reason most people own LTC insurance is to help those caregivers…
Who is the LTC insurance really for? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:09
This week, I'm kind of on a soapbox. It seems that some people will keep asking about LTC insurance until someone tells them they don't need it. No one knows if we'll need help living at some point or not. We need to ask…
Questions we don't get as often but very relevant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:22
This week, we decided to answer some questions that we don't get as often as some others, but they're still very relevant. When plannng for long term care needs, we need to gather enough information to be able to decide…
Which hybrid plan do I recommend most? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
It seems that with nearly every person or couple I work with, a version of this question comes up. Which plan do I recommend most often? Although all LTC plans are similar in how to qualify for benefits, each company and…
Poor decisions when planning cause BIG problems later [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:05
This week, after hearing from a client who wishes she would have bought more insurance a decade ago, Diane shares decisions that others have made in the past and now regret it. These people, if they had thought through t…
Start Young & Get it Done Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
This week, we look at premiums of traditional, stand-alone LTC plans. Diane shares a plan that her clients designed 10 years ago when they were 49 and compares that to the same plan for a 49 year old couple today, a 59 y…
Start Young & Get it Done! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:59
This week, Diane compares 10 year hybrid Life/LTC plans with 10 year paid up funding for a couple age 50, age 60, and age 70 to share why it's so much better for everyone when we plan early. Even though we don't want to…