Preparing For Tomorrow podcast

Hosted by Diane Stoddart, Certified Long Term Care Consultant, CLTC

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272

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Diane Stoddart, Certified Long Term Care Consultant, will show you how to protect your family and loved ones from the financial, physical and emotional burdens and consequences when long term care is needed. In each episode, Diane will help you to navigate through long term care concepts, terms and options and to discuss what strategies are available that can best protect both your family and your nest egg. We will invite guests to sit with us and share ideas regarding various parts of our lives as they relate to long term care planning.

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 3411 min

How did I get here & why do I stay?

People sometimes ask how I got involved in LTC insurance and how do I feel always talking about getting old or sick because it's so depressing. Here's how long term care and LTC insurance showed up in my life and why I am committted to stay. Review both current and projected costs of care where you live https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Please use 5% COLA for projections. If we think the caregiving industry's inflation will decrease going forward, we're fooling ourselves. Baby boomers are starting to turn 80 this year. The tsunami is here. Learn Medicaid rules in your state https://www.elderlawanswers.com/ The National Council on Aging is a great resource https://www.ncoa.org/ Schedule a 15 minute "Get to know you" call or zoom meeting today at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/15min

June 4, 2026Episode 3316 min

How can the insurance company pay if no one is billing them?

LTC insurance claims are hard to get approved because so many claims are not actually long term care. When a claim is declined, the family becomes disgruntled and angry at the insurance company. Usually the problem is what the providers/doctors, facilities are reporting when filing the claim. LTC News reported over $15 billion was paid in claims in 2024. See the details at https://www.ltcnews.com/articles/rising-claims-growing-demand-long-term-care-insurance-key-retirement-plan AHIP (America's Health Insurance Plans) reports over $16 billion paid in 2024 and separates results by states at https://www.ahip.org/resources/long-term-care-insurance-coverage-state-to-state-2025 View current and projected costs of care where you live at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Please be sure to use 5% cost of living increases to get a clear picture of future costs. Schedule time with me to learn more at https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

May 28, 2026Episode 3213 min

be One of the few

This week, we discuss the costs of dementia care vs. other long term care needs. Too many believe Medicare pays for care after age 65. Medicare may pay for up to 100 days if skilled care is also needed to help recovery from a hospitalization/procedure, and if you've been in the hosptal at least three nights. At age 80, 75% of people with Alzheimer's disease live in nursing homes while 4% of others at age 80 live there. Do you really want to spend down your assets to qualify fro Medicaid and be "put" in a nursing home where 75% of your peers have dementia? Here is a link to learn what it takes to qualify for Medicaid in your state https://www.elderlawanswers.com/ Here is a link to see current and future costs of care where you live (use 5% inflation growth to project future costs more accurately https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Then use the link below to schedule a brief call or zoom with me to learn if LTC insurance may be a good strategy you can use to protect yor family, savings and choices https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min If we agree it's a valuable option to consider, we'll schedule a longer meeting and get to work.

May 21, 2026Episode 3114 min

nearly 800,000 care workers needed by 2034

As baby boomers reach age 80 this year, with the immigrant population in the US diminishing, and seeing the almost 80% turnover of employees in home care, assisted living and nursing home care, we are getting ever closer to the Silver Tsunami. Even today, we don't have enough licensed care givers to meet the need of our aging population. That's before we consider the massive need for geriatricians who provide medical treatment for the elderly. Our primary care physicians are reporting they don't feel comfortable diagnosing or addressing patient questions about dementia. And there are not enough specialists to manage this need. Those with LTC insurance that can be used to pay for care by anyone, licensed or not, are going to be able to help their families help them better and longer when an extended care need shows up. And I say this often - these long term care needs do just show up. We need to prepare for them today, while we're healthy enough to be approved for coverage. You can learn more through the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/ You can schedule a free consultation with me to start designing your plan here You can schedule a 15 minute "Get to Know You" meeting here

May 14, 2026Episode 3012 min

We can't keep doing this to the women in our lives

In the U.S., almost 13 million unpaid/family caregivers are caring for someone with dementia right now. Many are doihng this without help or support from other family members. Most family caregivers are women who live with the dementia patient. 1/4 have kids they are also providing for, placing them in the "sandwich generation". 30% of family caregivers are 65 and older, many with health concerns of their own. The Alzheimer's Association has a ton of info and helpful resources https://www.alz.org/ We need to prepare for if and when dementia moves and claims residency in our own homes. And we need to plan so that we don't force the women in our lives to give up everything to provide for us During this Mother's Day week, the best Mother's day gift for your wives, sisters, daughters, grandaughters is to have a plan so you know where you would want to be, who you would lke to have with you, and how you plan to pay for this enormous risk. Schedule time with me to Prepare for your Tomorrow and theirs by clicking here

May 7, 2026Episode 2932 min

Guest Interview: Esther Greenhouse, environmental gerontologist, control how you age

Esther Greenhouse is an environmental gerontologist and longevity strategist who helps people stay independent as they age - physically and financially. As president of Silver to Gold Strategies, she advises financial and long-term care propgrams on reducing preventable caregiving needs and costs. Her Enabling Design Method has shaped national age-friendly initiatives and helped her own mother age in place for 7 extra years, saving an estimated $500,000 to $1.5 million and preserving dignity and choice. Esther lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I learn so much from Esther every time I speak with her and am honored to have her as a colleague! LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/esthergreenhouse/ Website https://silvertogoldstrategies.com/ Email Esther@S2Gold.com Remember to schedule time wth me to Prepare for Your Tomorrow https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/60min

April 30, 2026Episode 2814 min

What is a biomarker? Why should I care?

The Alzheimer's Association released a Special Report that updates dementia and dementia care information. I have on;y read about 1/3 of the info so far, so I expect I'll have a lot more to share over the nexrt several weeks. The industry is getting better at discovering, diagnosing, and managing dementia. I tried to get a link to the report, but I can't find it. The title is "2026 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures". There is a ton of info at the Alzheimer's Association website website https://www.alz.org/ Check out the "About" and 'Research" tabs, and then schedule with me to protect your family, assets and choices when extended care is needed at home, in a family member's home or in a facility/community setting Schedule here

April 23, 2026Episode 2712 min

It's either your plan or someone else's plan for you

We need to decide if we're going to make our own care decisions when we can no longer live alone or independantly. Or are we going to leave those decisions to a governement employee who must follow whatever the current government decides is approved for your care. Medicaid is being gutted, so please don't believe that you can rely on that at your most critial time in life. Please check out the links below and then schedule with me to start designing your plan so you can be prepared for whatever tomorrow brings your way. Kaiser Family Foundation 10 things about Medicaid long term care services and support https://www.kff.org/medicaid/10-things-about-long-term-services-and-supports-ltss/ AARP Nursing home staffing mandate delayed https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/one-big-beautiful-bill-nursing-homes/ University of Pennsylvania letter to Elizabeth Warren Univ of PA letter Schedule to learn more and design your plan My calendar

April 16, 2026Episode 2612 min

We don't know what it feels like to be old

Professionals in geriatrics and gerontology define "elderly" and "advanced age" as 65 and older and those with chronic needs. It's hard to believe I'm almost elderly?!? The fact that there are professional specialties and new Ai tools, websites, apps and software programs focusing on this enormous age group should indicate to us younger than 60 to prepare for those days ahead of us. There are people and tools available to help as we age, and we should never be embarrassed to ask for help when we need it. Here are several helpful links you can use: America Association for LTC Insurance https://www.aaltci.org/ Phyllis Shelton's LTC website full of valuable info https://gotltci.com/ Certification for LTC https://www.ltc-cltc.com/ Elder Law Answers about law and Medicaid https://www.elderlawanswers.com/ Help and guidance for caregivers https://www.elderlawanswers.com/ Help filing LTC claims https://www.amadaseniorcare.com/ Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/ National Council on Aging https://www.ncoa.org/ Companion Robot for seniors https://elliq.com/ View current and projected costs of care where you live https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Schedule a phone or zoom meeting to start designing your plan today https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

April 9, 2026Episode 2511 min

Saving $26,850 in premiums over 5 years? LTC Specialists matter

A client with whom I've maintained a relationship for over a decade was almost talked into buying a new LTC plan earlier this year. I'm glad she called me to ask for help! I researched her risk and offered a very similar plan with significantly lower rates. Research is the key to finding the best plans for your family. When you are offered a quote for LTC insurance, ask the person quoting you how many companies they represent and how many LTC applications they submit on average each year. LTC planning is too important to leave to amatures! View current and projected costs of care where you live and where you plan to retire at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Then schedule a phone or zoom meeting to start designing your plan here