Wellness
The basics of long-term care insurance
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��nti-coagulant drugs,
more commonly known
as blood thinners, can
reduce the risk of stroke by
more than 50 percent. However,
many people have concerns
about this treatment
because they worry about
dangerous bleeding after a
fall or other injury.
Blood thinners are most
commonly used in the treatment
of atrial fibrillation
(AF), a condition affecting
more than 1.5 million Americans
over the age of 65. AF
can cause irregular heartbeats,
which may result in
the formation of blood clots.
If a blood vessel in the brain
becomes blocked with a clot,
oxygenated blood cannot to
pass to other areas in the
brain, and this can cause a
stroke. Blood thinners work
to prevent the blood from
clotting.
According to Emil Baccash,
M.D., an attending physician
at NewYork-Presbyterian
Brooklyn Methodist
Hospital who specializes in
geriatric medicine, research
COURIER L 36 IFE, OCT. 18-24, 2019
shows that the risk of dangerous
bleeding is usually not
great enough to avoid bloodthinning
medications.
“You would have to
injure yourself or fall more
than 200 times a year to justify
not taking blood thinners
prescribed for atrial fibrillation,”
Dr. Baccash said.
“Even If your blood is thin, if
there are no openings or defects
in your blood vessels,
you are not going to bleed.
Overall, the benefits far outweigh
the risks.”
Although dangerous bleeding
while on blood thinners
is uncommon, it is important
to be aware of any condition
that may create a higher risk
of injury. Take extra precaution
to avoid falls: use a cane
or walker if necessary; keep
your pathways free of clutter
and use a nightlight to
ensure that you can see what
lies ahead. If a fall occurs,
keep an eye on any bruises
that develop. If the bruises
continue to grow, or if you
are feeling lightheaded, dizzy
or concerned in any way, call
a physician.
Although blood thinners
are often the most-effective
treatment to prevent blood
clots in patients with AF, Dr.
Baccash says that it is important
for a patient’s unique
medical history to be taken
into account when considering
the drug.
To schedule a consultation
with a medical geneticist at
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn
Methodist Hospital, please
call 718.499.2273.
Various insurance plans
protect individuals from
fi nancial calamity. Insurance
works by requiring
policy holders to pay a premium.
In the event of an accident
or incident, a claim can
be fi led and the insurance
company will reimburse the
person for expenses, minus
the deductible.
Health insurance is one
type of insurance that people
have to manage their health
and well-being. There’s also
another, perhaps lesser-known
insurance that can prove invaluable.
It is called long-term
care insurance.
Long-term care insurance
is an insurance product that is
found primarily in the United
States, Canada, and the United
Kingdom. It generally covers
assisted living needs, home
care, hospice care, adult daycare,
and other requirements
of senior living or health management.
People who invest in this
are planning ahead for the
times when they may no longer
be able to care for themselves
without assistance. It
will help offset the ever-rising
costs associated with specialized
senior housing and nursing
facilities.
Traditional healthcare
insurance and governmentsponsored
plans (i.e., Medicare
in the United States) will
not pay for daily, extended
care services. The AARP
notes that these other plans
may only cover a short stay in
a sub-acute rehabilitation center
or nursing home, or pay for
a limited amount of at-home
care. Long-term care insurance
can help families fi nance
the cost of medical care when
all other options will not.
Long-term care insurance
should be looked into early
in life, as policies often cost
less if purchased when one is
younger and in good health.
People in poor health or already
receiving long-term
care services may not qualify
for it outright. But there are
some workarounds, including
buying a limited amount
of coverage or coverage at a
higher “nonstandard” rate.
Some policies do not require
medical underwriting, and
these may be advantageous to
people with preexisting health
conditions.
When shopping for policies,
look into how long the insurance
will pay. Some policies
include limits on how long or
how much providers will pay
for care, with some plans maxing
out at two to fi ve years.
Other policies may not implement
a term limit.
Speak with a tax specialist
as well, as premiums
paid on a long-term care insurance
products may be
tax deductible.
Long-term care insurance
is a way for individuals to fi -
nance the often expensive
costs for medical services that
may be required as one ages.