Top Three Myths About Extended Care
🏡 The Top 3 Myths About Extended Care — And the Facts Every Family Should Know
When it comes to planning for extended or long-term care, there’s no shortage of advice — and unfortunately, much of it is wrong. Misunderstanding how extended care works can lead to serious financial, legal, and emotional stress for families.
At Next Chapter Care Academy, we believe that knowledge is the first step toward peace of mind. Below, we’re tackling three of the most common myths we hear from families — and the real facts you need to know before making important care decisions.
🧓 Myth #1: “I’ll lose everything if I go into a nursing home.”
Fact: There are a variety of planning options available that may help preserve your assets if you need extended care.
Too many families believe that entering a nursing home means automatic financial devastation. The truth is, with proper planning — whether through Medicaid strategies, trusts, or legal exemptions — it’s often possible to protect a significant portion of what you’ve worked so hard to build.
Understanding how different care programs treat income and assets is key. Planning early gives you the flexibility to make informed decisions before a crisis hits — not after.
👪 Myth #2: “The easiest thing to do is give everything to my children.”
Fact: This can have serious legal and financial consequences — and it’s rarely the best decision for an extended-care plan.
While gifting assets may seem like a simple solution, it often creates more problems than it solves. Transferring property or money can trigger Medicaid look-back penalties, tax implications, or family disputes.
There are safer, smarter ways to include your children in your care plan. With the right legal guidance and long-term care planning tools, you can protect your assets and maintain flexibility — without exposing your family to unnecessary risk.
💊 Myth #3: “Medicare will pay for my extended care.”
Fact: Medicare only covers skilled care, and only for a limited period of time. Extended care — which involves assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating — is not covered by Medicare.
This is one of the most dangerous misunderstandings about aging and care. Many seniors enter retirement believing Medicare will handle the cost of long-term assistance, only to find themselves facing thousands in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
Extended care planning helps you understand your coverage limits, anticipate future costs, and explore alternative funding options — such as long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, or Medicaid eligibility planning.
🌿 The Bottom Line
Extended care doesn’t have to mean losing control — or losing everything you’ve built. The key is education and proactive planning.
At Next Chapter Care Academy, our mission is to help families make informed, confident choices about their loved ones’ care. Our upcoming course, “Senior Care Basics,” provides step-by-step guidance on understanding care options, costs, and planning strategies designed to protect your family’s future.
💙 Because every family deserves peace of mind in their next chapter of care.
