According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, about 34.2 million Americans have provided care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months and approximately 15.7 million adult family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.
These statistics generally include taking care of someone you love, most often - someone who once took care of you. This can be one of the most difficult, stressful, confusing and heartbreaking tasks in one’s life; especially when there is no support and guidance to help you through this unknown and sometimes lonely territory.
This is where LTC Advisors, LLC can provide profound relief for and assistance to the caregiver, with help in understanding the challenges of long term care and making the right choices for the care of their loved one, from supportive and experienced professionals.
Jill Tank, owner, who has over seven years’ experience in the field, is aware of the many challenges faced by adult caregivers and can help individuals identify, on a case by case basis what is the best next step for every individual’s circumstance.
“We are available to offer a comprehensive look at options and provide guidance with resources that are available to caregivers and those they care for,” stated Tank. “After seven years of working in long term care claims, I realized there was a need for an organization such as this to assist the caregiver - whether that was a child of a parent or a spouse. Most importantly, people need to know they are not alone. It is for these reasons that LTC Advisors was inspired and created.”
Other services provided by the LTC Advisors include but are not limited to the following:
A comprehensive list of assisted living facilities in your area.
A complete list of skilled nursing facilities and home care providers.
Assistance in filing a long-term health claim.
Visitation with you to inspect a facility for possible admission.
Other services as requested including assistance for those outside the state of Maine.
(Fees vary based upon situation and need.)
It can be a very confusing time for the child of a parent as well as a spouse. Tank and LTC Advisors are there to help during these perplexing and difficult times.
There is so much to know and understand as a caregiver. As Tank explained, this includes a multitude of issues and confusion around Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) versus Activities of Daily Living (ADL) as it relates to long term care insurance. Tank offers clarification between the two and when it is appropriate to file a claim with the insurance company.
Briefly, ADLs refers to the basic tasks of everyday life, such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring. IADL's are activities related to independent living and include preparing meals, managing money, shopping for groceries or personal items, performing light or heavy housework, doing laundry, and using a telephone. Tank can help guide you through these specifics and when it is the best time to contact the insurance company.
“I highly recommend that adult children ask their parents whether or not they have Long Term Care Health Insurance,” Tank said. “This way, it will make future caregiving decisions easier and will provide a platform on how to proceed in the caregiving efforts.”
Tank, who is licensed in Life and Health and Long-Term Care Insurance and holds a B.S. and M.S in Education as well as a C.A.S. in Educational Leadership, recognizes the sacrifice, commitment and emotional toll of caregiving for a loved one. It is this for reason, she provides additional support.
“Whatever you [the caregiver] are are feeling, is okay,” Tank explained. “Whether an individual is feeling guilty, angry, resentful - it is all normal and it does not indicate that you are a rotten son, daughter or spouse. My goal is to make people feel better. Many caregivers feel like they are not making a difference but what they don’t realize is - they are making a big difference in the life of the individual they are caring for.”
Because caregiving is an emotionally and physically challenging task, Tank inserts a bit of humor to keep caregivers going during difficult times. In fact, you’ll find her offering pieces of relief by providing humorous and heartwarming quotes in her business pamphlet that include:
“The problem is that you keep asking me if I have any problems. I’m 91 years old . . . I have nothing but problems. And these eggs are one of them.” Or, “If you want me to take a shower, hire a nice-looking life guard with big muscles and little swim trunks to get in there with me.”
Caregiving is a difficult but a very important contribution to the life cycle. Jill Tank of LTC Advisors, LLC is there to smooth the rough edges and provide the services and support you need. Contact her by email at ltcadvisors1@gmail.com or by phone at 207-572-1219 or visit her website at ltcadvisorsllc.com.
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