Anonymous wrote:OP I have no opinion on the LTC insurance as I'm not terribly sensible about finances.

I am, however, a professional caregiver who has spent the last decade working with patients who have dementia of various types including Parkinson's, so I know a few things about the practical aspects of living with the disease.

I wanted to share this resource recently broadcast on CNN; it focuses on Alzheimer's but much of the emerging research shows promise for Parkinson's patients as well: https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-whole-story-with-anderson-cooper/episodes/108c81e2-9f79-11ee-a6ef-ff2dcabab0fa

Also here is the Johns Hopkins medicine page on using diet and exercise to slow progression of Parkinson's: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease/fighting-parkinson-disease-with-exercise-and-diet#:~:text=The%20Role%20of%20Exercise&text=%E2%80%9CMovement%2C%20especially%20exercises%20that%20encourage,the%20disease%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20says.

A lot of doctors are still stuck in the modus of talking about inevitable disease progression and drug interventions (for Parkinson's there is also surgical intervention, one patient I worked with had terrific results from that path) but fail to discuss with patients immediately how they can improve their overall health and significantly impact the progression of disease by making lifestyle changes - big ones depending on how they are living their lives currently, but ones that would benefit the health of the whole family and which could maintain their cognitive function intact for many years to come.

I hope you don't mind too much me inserting this here; I've been following the emerging science and growing view of Alzheimer's and related dementias (including Parkinson's) as having roots in gut dysbiosis and I'm a bit evangelical about letting people know that they have some control over how this unfolds for them, if they choose to take the reins.

I wish you and your family all the best in the journey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an economist. I think it's worth it. As you say, it's your only option available because for everyone else it's too risky. You need to weigh your risk of how bad the illness might get versus life expectancy. With Parkinson's the life expectancy is supposedly the same as normal, 81 years on average, so you might be looking at 20+ years of care.

Assisted living costs on the order of $66k a year now… obviously will be more in the future… $250k is almost four years of that… if you need 20 years of care you better have a Plan B.

Also it’s not the only option, the other option is put the $100k in the market for ten years or so.

Anonymous wrote:I'm an economist. I think it's worth it. As you say, it's your only option available because for everyone else it's too risky. You need to weigh your risk of how bad the illness might get versus life expectancy. With Parkinson's the life expectancy is supposedly the same as normal, 81 years on average, so you might be looking at 20+ years of care.

Anonymous wrote:Can you estimate how long before he either won't be able to function?

If that timeline is long enough that investing $100k over that period would yield more than $250k in returns, then clearly invest the $100k.

Also, how long could you expect him to draw benefits? $6,000 a month is 42 months before the $250k is reached, and if you don't expect him to draw benefits for that long then your $100k investment didn't even yield it's full return.

I have to agree with your financial advisor's meh opinion about this plan, especially given that you have $4M net worth with disability and life insurance.

Anonymous wrote:I'm an economist. I think it's worth it. As you say, it's your only option available because for everyone else it's too risky. You need to weigh your risk of how bad the illness might get versus life expectancy. With Parkinson's the life expectancy is supposedly the same as normal, 81 years on average, so you might be looking at 20+ years of care.