Independence

We are fresh off the long holiday weekend where we celebrate our nation declaring independence. I hope that you had a safe and enjoyable time.

July 4 to me always brings me back to remembering my great-aunt and godmother who was a big part of my life from the day that I was born until the day that she took her last breath. July 4th is her birthday and she would have been celebrating a century this year.

I share this because she helped create a ton of opportunities for me. She was unable to have children of her own and as my godmother, she spoiled the hell out of me. She encouraged me, was my biggest cheerleader, and provided me with the knowledge that I could achieve anything that I wanted. For that, I am forever grateful and celebrate her life and love.

This segues into why we plan for long term care events. You see, my aunt suffered from several severe medical conditions that eventually eroded her ability to live independently. She fought for independence and hated others caring for her, but in the end, she accepted help from her family.

For a time, her sister (my grandmother) provided some assistance then as her health worsened, my mother became her support. Mom gave up her job, her life, and a big section of our house in order to care for my aunt. I remember the day that she moved in and I moved out – I was heading off to college in Vermont and she was surrendering her independence.

Time passed, I returned home often as she slowly deteriorated. On her 75th birthday, after I hugged her and thanked her for everything that she had done for me, she passed. I was holding her hand.

She meant a lot to me.

I think back at the situation and how it impacted my aunt, my grandmother, and my parents. They all in one way or another lost independence.

Most importantly, that is why we need a plan for when (not if) an adverse health event occurs. It’s not about your client alone – it is about their family!

To assist in that planning conversation, check out the OneAmerica Step-by-Step Guide To Receiving LTC. It is consumer friendly and is not a product pitch.

As always, to learn more about what we can do for you contact me via email at kevin.fisher@oneamerica.com, call me at (678) 512-9627, or you can schedule a one-on-one meeting with me using this link.

And remember to join Michael Florio and me on July 26 at LTC Coffee Break … ltccoffeebreak.com when we talk about underwriting.