Women said to be carrying LTC burden

Women bear the brunt of long-term care insurance cost burdens, according to Lisa Wendt, president and CEO of LifeSecure Insurance Company, which provides LTC and post-hospital recovery insurance coverage.

Among the factors she recently cited to mark November as Long Term Care Awareness Month: women not only have a longer lifespan than men, but they also require care for longer periods of time and often assume primary care-giving responsibilities.

AARP estimates that one-fourth of the nation’s households are involved in care-giving, most of which is provided by women, while a report by the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement identifies women as the primary caregivers in society.

Women could be paying a terrible price for such sacrifice. For example, the Social Security Administration suggests that they have 13 fewer years of earnings, retirement credits and opportunities for job advancement.

Also, medical experts fear that women who are in a primary caregiver role may be at a higher risk for developing depression or serious medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes or arthritis.

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