Long Term Care Insurance

Read through the entire assignment before beginning.

Critical Thinking: 

Do you agree with these statements?

1. Gifted Children are less well adjusted than other children.
2. Opposites attract.
3. Subliminal messages on self-help audiotapes have beneficial effects.

Many people answer yes, without a moments hesitation on the grounds that "everybody knows that these statements are true." Critical thinkers however, question common knowledge. 

Critical thinking is the process of examining the information we have, and then based on this inquiry, making judgments and decisions. When we think critically, we define problems, examine evidence, analyze assumptions, consider alternatives, and ultimately find reasons to support or reject an argument. To think critically you must adopt a certain state of mind; one characterized by objectivity, caution, a willingness to challenge other people's opinions, and --perhaps most difficult of all --a willingness to subject your deepest beliefs to scrutiny. In other words, you must think like a scientist. 

There are a number of strategies used to question assumptions and examine data. 

1. Define the problem or the question you are investigating: Do opposites attract each other?

2. Suggest a theory or a reasonable explanation for the problem: People who are dissimilar balance each other out in a relationship. 

3. Collect and examine all the available evidence. In doing so, be skeptical of people's self-reports, as they may be subjectively biased (that means based on their own experiences).  If data conflicts, try to find more evidence. Research on attraction yields no support for the idea that opposites attract, whereas many studies confirm that people of similar looks, interests, age, family background, religion, values, and attitudes seek each other out. 

4. Analyze assumptions. Because balancing different people's strengths and weaknesses is a good way to form a group, it is probably a good basis for personal relationships as well, and that is why people of opposite temperaments are naturally attracted to each other. Yet research evidence shows that this assumption is false. Why should similar attract? One important reason is that they often belong to the same social circles. Research suggests proximity is a big factor in attraction. 

5. Avoid oversimplifying. Don't overlook the evidence that people of similar temperaments find living together rather difficult in some ways. For example, living with someone who is as tense as you are may be harder than living with someone of calm temperament---your opposite. 

6. Draw conclusions carefully. It seems safe to conclude that in general, opposites don't attract, but there are specific exceptions to this general rule.

7. Consider every alternative to interpretation. People may cite cases that conflict with your conclusions. Remember, however, that their arguments are based on subjective observations and a far narrower database than attraction researchers have used. 

8. Recognize the relevance of research to events and situations. If you have been thinking of dating someone whose temperament seems quite different from yours, you may decide, on the basis of what you now know, not to rush into things but to go more slowly, testing your own observations against your knowledge of research finds. 

By the way, research has demonstrated that the other two statements are also false. 

Adapted from The Science of Psychology

Assignment- Now put your critical thinking skills to work. 

Assume someone in your family wants to purchase Long Term Care Insurance (tell us who you are planning for- a few details about the person). Because you are taking this class, they ask for your opinion regarding what type of policy they should buy. You are going to compose an email message to this family member (post your mock email to this week's discussion board) and tell him/her what he/she needs to know. Be sure to address (at least) these points: 

1. Who are you planning for. Give us a short background on the person. Is LTC insurance  a good option for this family  
   member?  Why or why not? Be specific. Don't just say it will cost too much, but instead analyze the cost compared to their income or savings. What will they have to  
   lose? Do they need to protect it? If you don't do the research here it will really show. For full credit you must show that you understand the issues.

2. Note the differences in policies and companies that apply to this person's needs and tell us the source of your information. Be sure to tell them about cost related to their age, inflation protection (why or why not) and any other types of coverage that would be best for her/him. Cite your work. Where did you get this information?
 
3. Be sure to outline any other issues regarding long-term care for this family member that they should be considering. 
    Don't point them to a web site for information -- YOU are their resource. 

Be sure to read your handout, Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance.

Since you are not sure of the advice to give your family member, you are going to conduct research online regarding different companies and policies being offered in California. You will want to make note of the purpose of LTC insurance, the many different types of policies, costs, limitations, coverage and any other noteworthy information that might apply to your family member. Not all policies are the same. Which companies would you refer them to?

Using the search tool, put in the term  Long-Term Care Insurance

Don't forget this resource Research Resources in aging.

Part 2

EXTRA CREDIT worth up to 3 points. Be sure to put extra credit in the title of your posting.

Consider the following questions: Be sure to base your examples or facts on course materials so your information is a SWAG.  Use your critical thinking. Especially when you answer number 8. (for example how will you pay for your proposed program  from what you now know about Medicare, Medical, long term care insurance, and private payment of long term care). Then BRIEFLY answer the following and post them on the discussion board. 

1. Have you ever visited a nursing home?  How did you feel once inside? If you have never been in a nursing home what is your impression of what they look and feel like inside? If you have never been inside one what are your impressions of what they feel like?  What contributes to that image?
   
2. What is the chance that a 65 year old person might spend time in a nursing home at some point in the future?  ( that number is different from the 3-5% number who live there long term.) Look it up!!!
   
3. Have you ever considered the possibility that you or someone in your family might be in a nursing home some day? How will you pay for it?
   
4. How does this possibility make you feel?
   
5. Why do you think people are in nursing homes? 
   
6. What do you think it is that makes nursing home placement such a dismal or terrifying prospect to some older people?  
   
7. If that's the case, then how is it that a substantial percentage of people aged 65 and older will at some point in their lives spend time in a nursing home and perhaps die there?
   
8. Can you imagine a society without nursing homes? What might the alternative to institutionalization be? 

Check out this article The New Math of Old Age
Why the nursing home industry's cries of poverty don't add up

Again, be sure to note in the subject line that it is extra credit.

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