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Caregiving Flash Poll  


A new study from Northwestern Mutual reveals that nearly eight in 10 Americans acknowledge the increasing need for long term care (LTC) planning, yet nearly half (45%) are “not sure” how they plan to address future LTC needs.
 
The study also found that almost two thirds of people believe the cost of providing LTC services will rise faster than the return on their savings, and more than half (53%) believe that long-term care costs will double in the next 14 years.  Yet, less than one third (28%) are currently saving for future LTC needs. 
 
“There is a clear disconnect between what Americans understand about long-term care needs and the steps they’ve taken to prepare,” said Steve Sperka, Northwestern Mutual vice president of long-term care. “In order to create flexibility and options in retirement, people need to address long term care risk as part of financial security planning."
 
Real life story: the reality of caregiving
Former broadcast journalist Meryl Comer knows what it means to be a caregiver to her husband, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 17 years ago. She shared her personal story with Northwestern Mutual in this video.

 
 
For more information about the study:
·         Read the news release
·         View the full survey report