Family Caregivers

Insurers unlikely to pay for family caregiving.
NPR (12/15, Andrews) reports in its "Shots" blog, "No one wants to be cared for by strangers. So it's no surprise that many people look to family members and other trusted helpers to assist them with dressing and housekeeping when they're too old or ill to do so themselves." However, "long-term care insurers often take a dim view of such unofficial assistance. 'There are almost no insurers that will pay for family members to provide care,' says Bonnie Burns, a training and policy specialist with California Health Advocates." The blog notes, "Long-term care insurance policies generally pay a set daily dollar amount for a certain number of years. Benefits kick in when someone needs help performing specified daily activities such as bathing or dressing."