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[quote=Anonymous]I received a notice this week that my 67-year-old father let his long-term care insurance policy lapse, and it has now been canceled due to non-payment.

I was an alternate contact on the policy (which my mom set up several years ago) and started getting cc'd on late payment notices in the fall, so I contacted him at the time to let him know, and he claimed he'd take care of it. I am very low-contact/gray rock with him otherwise because he is/has always been abusive. When I texted him a second time to let him know I received a cancellation notice and suggested that he call the insurance company about reinstating the policy, he texted back, "No worry - I don't need it."

My mom always assured me that there would be enough in their retirement funds so that my brother and I would never be responsible for their care, financially or otherwise. She died suddenly about three years ago, and I know my dad does not share this view -- he would love nothing more than for someone to have to take care of him. (Not skilled nursing -- he basically wants a servant to abuse.) I am slightly concerned that not taking care of this policy could be an early sign of dementia, but it could also just be his ego talking -- he does not think he will ever decline in health and need skilled care, even though he had a health scare in fall 2019.

He is currently in above-average health and fairly active, is still working part-time, and has an income property. He has substantial investment and retirement accounts, including my mom's pension and life insurance payout. Financially, there is no reason that he shouldn't have enough for a long and comfortable retirement, including in-home help and skilled care if needed. But since my mom's death, he has been spending money like water. And now, getting this notice, my nightmare is that he'll show up on my door, broke and expecting to move in and be taken care of.

What would you do in this situation? Would it be worth it for me to buy a long-term care policy for him just in case?[/quote]

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