U ask: Long Term Care is quite a lot in the news recently. Can you give me a brief overview?

Norman answers: Yes, long term care is a subject that has become more on people's minds in the last few years with the increase in longevity and improvements in medical care. Statistically, if you reach the age of 65 in Israel, and you stand an excellent chance of doing so, then you have a 1 in 3 chance of needing Long Term Nursing Care ( Siyud ) before you reach 120. People tend to think that this is relevant only for older people but in fact, the unfortunate truth is that young people can often require it for many years as a result of accident or injury.

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U ask: What are the criteria for needing long term care?

Norman answers: There are internationally accepted basic functions called the Activities of Daily Living – ADL's namely getting up / lying down; dressing / undressing; washing oneself / shaving; eating / drinking; control of one's bodily functions; walking. One is generally considered requiring Nursing Care if one can't perform by oneself 3 of these functions and in some circumstances just 2 is sufficient.

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U ask: What about Alzheimer's disease?

Norman answers: This together with Dementia is generally considered by the Insurance Companies as being fully sufficient to require the need.

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U ask: What are the costs for someone needing long term care?

Norman answers: Care at home can cost anything from around NIS 10,000 a month. If one needs to be in an institution, the cost in a home which provides dignified quality care can today be well in excess of NIS 20,000 a month.

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U ask: Doesn't the National Insurance Institute ( Bituach Leumi ) provide payment for long term care?

Norman answers: The National Insurance Institute provides a limited amount of hours towards home care depending both on the level of disability and on the financial status of the recipient. If needed, it can also pay towards institutional care however at a very low level. You should note that the Institute is entitled to try and re-claim its costs from the family of the needy person.

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U ask: What about getting money from the Supplementary Health Programs of the Health Funds?

Norman Answers: Most of these extra plans include some cover for members requiring Long Term Care. However the amounts of the cover are generally around NIS 4,500 a month and this cover is only extended for a period of 3 years and after that drops to NIS 2,500 for a further 2 years only.

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U ask: How then can one meet the shortfall?

Norman answers: All the major carriers offer a Long Term Nursing Care policy. You buy a sum of money, in case of need, from NIS 2,000 a month up to NIS 20,000 a month, for a period of up to 5 years or for however long you may need it.

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U ask: How are the premiums fixed?

Norman answers: Premiums are fixed at the age of entry and so the younger you are the lower the premiums are. The latest policies also have a repayment clause in them whereby if you stop paying the premiums after a number of years you continue to remain insured in case of need for a percentage of the amount you originally insured for which increases the longer you are in the program.

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U ask: How can I receive further information?

Norman answers: You are best advised to consult with a qualified expert Agent who understands the complexities of Long Term Care policies.