![\"ACSIA](\"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/images\/16-0627-ACSIA-Partners-600x450.jpg\")
\nThe concerning statistics are from \u201cAging in the United States,\u201d a study published by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).<\/p>\n
KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug. 14, 2017 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The number of Americans age 65 and older is on track to double — from 46 million now to over 98 million in 2060, when today\u2019s 20-somethings will be turning 65. At that time the 65-plus age group\u2019s share of the population will have jumped to 24-percent from 15-percent today. \u201cThink of it,\u201d says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, \u201cone in four of us will be in the older group, at high risk of needing long-term care.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe concerning statistics are from \u201cAging in the United States,\u201d a study published by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).<\/p>\n
The proliferation of older Americans places a big burden right now on all breadwinners in their prime productive years (20 through 65), Gott asserts. According to the PRB, by 2030 there will be only 2.8 working-age adults for every person 65 and older, down from 5.0 in 2000.<\/p>\n
Because of this, today\u2019s working-age citizens, now building our economy and their own economic futures, will be hit by a double-whammy, according to Gott.<\/p>\n
The first part of the double-whammy has to do with one\u2019s aging parents. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, almost three in four aging Americans will need some form of long-term care after 65. \u201cFor a working couple with two sets of parents, the odds of financial impact are very high,\u201d says Gott, \u201cif any of the parents lacks the resources for their own care.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second part of the double-whammy is that the younger couple may need long-term care services themselves at some point. \u201cAfter dealing with mom and dad, they\u2019ll need to be ready to care for one another; or to pay professionals to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Long-term care services can be expensive, costing from tens of thousands to $100,000, $200,000 or even more per year, depending on location, type of services, and type of claim. Multiply that by the number of family members needing care, and the cost can become prohibitive.<\/p>\n
But the financial impact extends beyond care costs. It often involves income loss from interrupted employment as well. According to a study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, America\u2019s 10 million employed caregivers face $3 trillion in lifetime losses for missed pay, pensions, and social security. That amounts to $304,000 per worker (typically the female half of a young couple).<\/p>\n
\u201cLong-term care has always been expensive and a key cause of impoverishment in one\u2019s later years,\u201d says Gott. \u201cAs America ages, the cost challenge promises to increase.\u201d<\/p>\n
What can be done about it?<\/p>\n
\u201cForward-looking public policy would help,\u201d says Gott. \u201cBut there\u2019s plenty people can do on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is to develop a long-term care plan,\u201d Gott continues. \u201cIt\u2019s especially important for today\u2019s younger, productive couples. It\u2019s the only way to control costs and head off avoidable threats to one\u2019s income, assets, lifestyle, and future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Long-term care planning can be done independently but Gott recommends consulting a licensed specialist. \u201cThe process is emotional and the options and pitfalls are vast. You need a calm, collected professional to hold your hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
ACSIA Partners has hundreds of state-certified long-term care specialists in all parts of the country. \u201cThey\u2019re glad to talk with consumers and business executives about any and all care-related concerns and actions, financial and otherwise,\u201d says Gott. Specialists develop group plans for employers as well as individual plans for families.<\/p>\n