...Long Term Care Insurance...
The COTTON'S STORY
Two folks who "walk the walk" of long term care - 24/7
It was never in their plans for Clayborne to contract mid-life Multiple Sclerosis, but that's exactly what happened…
His devoted wife, Kimberly, now Clayborne's full-time caregiver, says he can no longer use his lightening-fast hands as he did in the days when he played white-hot boogie woogie blues piano with superstars. "Sadly sometimes," she admits, "Clayborne is so weak that he can't hold a glass of water, let alone get out of bed." Still, one must keep a sense of humor.
"Caregiving for anyone can be a stressful job, but just think of what it's like to spend every moment of every day with your spouse...poor Clayborne! He can never get away from me!", Kimberly jokes.
As well as taking care of Clayborne's daily needs, Kimberly also takes dictation for him in his capacity as long term care author/activist for the LTCi Buyer's Advocate Alliance. In addition, she writes, edits and enters articles for Prepsmart.com.
PrepSmart.com, with the LTCi Buyer's Advocate Alliance, is the public service the Cottons began during the Internet "Ice Ages" of 1997. They saw a need that wasn't being filled on the Internet. People wanted to know more about long term care insurance, without feeling pressured to buy. Many folks wanted to research LTC insurance from the privacy of their own homes.
"People want to feel comfortable while researching." Kimberly says. "We built a website chock full of information so that people could learn about LTC insurance before contacting an agent. Then, we went a bit further.", explains Kimberly. "We searched the country for dedicated, knowledgeable brokers who were consumer-minded.
Our intention was, and is, to match people who are interested in long term care insurance with brokers who were helpful and discerning, instead of being pushy and mostly sales motivated. Since we weren't building an insurance agency, it wasn't easy to find brokers at first. Yet we persisted and we think those who have joined the LTCi Buyers Advocate Alliance are some of the finest brokers in the U.S."
Now, click here now to hear Clayborne interviewed alongside President Jimmy Carter
In the late 1980s, after years of coping with his own aging relatives care issues, Clayborne studied financial planning and asset protection, became a stock broker and eventually, an expert in long term care insurance. So, he knows the long term care insurance industry and financial planning first-hand.
(Read more about their families' long term care experiences.)
Ironically, even Clayborne fell victim to the "it won't happen to me" mentality. He put off buying his own LTC insurance coverage for "just a bit longer", until the surprise Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis blocked his eligibility for enrollment.
Says Clayborne , "I waited too long to buy long term care insurance, and now I'm uninsurable. I'll never be able to get it. Now I'm a poster child for denial and procrastination. Not to mention the stress and strain that not having LTC insurance has put on my wife and our finances. If I dwell on our situation, I can feel pretty sad and guilty, so I try not to. "
"I'm blessed with a loving wife and supportive family. Some folks aren't, so I count my blessings every day", Clayborne quickly adds.
"Still, my current situation is what motivates me to make sure others act wisely. If you can afford it, please get your long term care insurance without further delay", says Clayborne. "You'll feel secure, whether you use it or not. You'll be glad to have your LTCi policy, should you ever need it and you'll be happier still, if you never need it. Let's hope you never do need long term care, but protect yourself, in any case."
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Learn more about this colorful character and his fun-loving music.