Protecting the Survivor A Shi in Planning Perspective When considering Long-Term Care planning, many people focus on the likelihood of their own potential future frailty and the possibility of needing care as a result. Many believe their own personal risk for needing Long-Term Care is low and therefore do not need to plan for a care event. They are comfortable “rolling the dice,” so to speak. After all, they feel the odds are in their favor, so “why waste money” on an insurance product they “may never need”?
Unfortunately this perspective largely misses the point. The challenges of an unforeseen care event are not born by the person who needs care - he or she will be cared for one way or another. Instead it is the spouse and family who are at risk. The individual may be right - he or she may never need care. But if care is needed, the consequences for the spouse and family can be significant financially, as well as emotionally, relationally, and physically.