Flourishing
in Old Age
Remembering
Ronald Reagan – A Perspective
At
his first inauguration, most people thought that Ronald
Reagan was rather elderly to say the least. Other people
thought that he would have a difficult time keeping up with
the times and issues.
President
Reagan served for a very active eight years – well
into his 70s. His energy reminds us that the senior years
have become redefined. Senior years are now viewed as a
highly productive period – filled with energy and
opportunity to serve one’s family and community.
However,
there can be an eventual downside. President Reagan’s
encounter with Alzheimer’s for ten years is well documented.
We should recognize that this terrible disease is affecting
over four million American families today. Without a cure,
the number of Alzheimer’s victims will grow each year.
Again, as we look forward and grow older, dementia and Alzheimer’s
will become every family’s greatest concern and possibly
greatest challenge. Dementia duration can be five, eight,
ten years or ten years plus.
Longer
life expectancies and related dementia risks add to the
importance of intelligent life planning. The decisions we
make today will very likely impact the quality of life in
our senior years. Are we prepared?
-
John B. Linvill Jr., CSA
Managing Our Medical Files
I work
with many, many individuals and families hoping to be accepted
by the long term care insurance company. Medical underwriting
plays a critical role in LTC, life, disability and medical
insurance. It is critically important that your medical
records be complete and accurate!
We have all
visited our doctor and complained that we have or may have
a certain issue that could be serious. Just by mentioning
your self diagnosis, the doctor may jot down your comment
and it will be in your medical record. Suggestion –
tell your doctor about the symptoms, how you feel. Let the
doctor make the diagnosis. In this way, your medical records
will be accurate. Very often I find that clients have misinformation
in their medical file and this can easily lead to an insurance
decline or special rating – reduced benefits and/or
higher premiums.
Also, one should
periodically ask to look at their medical records to make
sure that comments are accurate. One could be surprised.
Protecting your insurability is an important responsibility.
- John B. Linvill Jr., CSA
