Long-Term Care Planning

The rising cost of care
Plan with Confidence
Long-term care planning starts with a realistic look at expenses. Nursing home and assisted living costs can reach tens of thousands per year, and in-home care adds up quickly when support is needed most. Without a plan, those bills can pressure retirement savings intended for travel, family, and everyday life. Peterson Row helps you estimate needs, weigh options, and design funding strategies before a health event forces rushed decisions.
Protecting Income and Assets
Safeguarding what you’ve built means planning for risks that could disrupt your finances or burden your family. We review coverage and strategies that protect both your earnings and your wealth.
01
Long-term care insurance: what it covers and when it helps
Long-term care insurance can help cover the cost of nursing homes, assisted living, memory care, and in-home care.
It provides resources to help pay for the type of care you prefer while reducing strain on family. Peterson Row helps evaluate whether coverage fits within your overall financial and asset protection strategy.
02
Self-funding strategies: when insurance isn’t the answer
Some families choose to self-insure by setting aside assets to cover potential long-term care costs. This may involve dedicating a portion of investments, setting spending guardrails, or planning contingencies such as downsizing or using home equity later.
The key trade-off is maintaining enough liquidity and discipline so these funds can support care needs without disrupting other priorities like lifestyle, legacy goals, or charitable giving.
03
Qualifying and timing: earlier is easier
Underwriting for long-term care insurance considers health and age.
Many people wait until a diagnosis or mobility issue arises and then discover coverage is no longer available or affordable.
Exploring options in your late 40s to early 60s typically provides more approvals, better benefits, and lower premiums. If insurance isn’t a fit, starting a self-funding strategy earlier gives compounding more time to work.
04
Medicaid considerations: why planning ahead matters
Medicaid can pay for long-term care after assets are substantially spent down, which may not align with goals to support a spouse or leave inheritances.
While detailed Medicaid planning belongs with elder-law attorneys, Peterson Row helps you understand thresholds and trade-offs so you can choose insurance or savings strategies that reflect your wishes before a crisis narrows your choices.
05
Family conversations: clarity for loved ones
Care decisions affect spouses and adult children. We encourage open, thoughtful discussions about preferences—aging at home, choosing a community, or relocating to be closer to family—so everyone understands the plan and how costs will be covered.

Our role in your plan
Peterson Row models care scenarios inside your retirement projections, compares insurance designs, and coordinates with your attorney and tax professional as needed. Whether you buy a policy or allocate assets to self-fund, the result is a practical plan that aims to protect your lifestyle and reduce financial stress for loved ones. Long-term care planning is part of comprehensive retirement planning—because health events and income plans are intertwined.
Take action early
Don’t wait for a health scare to make big decisions. Let’s map out care options that fit your budget and values with Peterson Row.
