On the "pay it every month until you either need it or die", that's how life insurance works too, you pay until you die. The exception is whole life policies.

We bought a combined LTC policy in January 2010. We were both 51 at the time. We got it for when we were "old." Yes, it isn't cheap. But 3 of our parents ended up spending some time in nursing homes so we thought it was a prudent decision. We didn't want to have to spend every cent we have saved for long term care, leaving the other spouse in financial jeopardy. Fast forward to the present. My dh, now 59 (not "old") has ALS. This June we started getting home health care 20 hours a week because I can't care for him 24/7 by myself. I am thankful we have LTC insurance everyday. No one can tell if they will need it or not. It is a financial decision for every family. Can you afford it? Will it give you peace of mind? What is your family history with aging? What will you do if you need care and don't have LTC insurance? There is no "right" answer for everybody. We have absolutely no family history of ALS. We had no inkling we would need it so early.

She needs more care than you can give. If she is in rehab now the facility she is in should have a social worker on staff that can help you navigate the options available given her financial situation. Maybe there are programs/facilities that can help. ((((HUGS)))) I can relate to being a caregiver. My dh has ALS with FTD(frontal temporal dementia). He can't be left alone and needs 24/7 care. Thankfully I have help four days a week and my daughters are grown so I don't have the generational tug from both ends. But I can totally understand the emotional toll it takes.

I tape. I have above average skill, but I want it to look like I have great skill. ? I am the family painter.

Use a double needle like this: This video is for a hem, but you can use the needles elsewhere. It provides a very strong, stretchy seam.

Too much! This thread did me in! After reading it I broke down and bought two tickets for Hamilton in DC for my 23 yo dd and I. We both love it, know all the lyrics and have been entering the lottery every day. She has been living at home this last year. She goes on active duty in the Army in August and will be in San Antonio. Last year my dh was diagnosed with ALS with frontal temporal dementia. The last 18 months have been really hard and the future will be harder. And this thread made me decide that we should do this and make a lifetime memory for both of us!!!! Now I just have to schedule a caregiver, but I have a month to figure that out.

These are wonderful! My daughter gave them to me for Christmas about 3 years ago and they are going strong. http://www.bagpodz.com A video on this site shows how they work. I fasten the carrier to the cart when I shop. I do most of my grocery shopping at a military commissary and the baggers there almost always comment how great they are and they see a lot of different types of bags! Mary

If you like history, The National World War II Museum is phenomenal!

Second vote agreeing with Tibbie.

Kelly, I whole heartedly endorse Carol in Cal's plan! Over the last year and a half I have had to deal with MANY bureaucrats who don't have a "fire under their butt" like they should for the issues they are dealing with, both health care and government program types. Of course for me, most of the issues feel HUGE since we are dealing with my dh's ALS. They are just day-to-day business for the bureaucrats. So I would call and "check up" on the process ALL THE TIME, and email, and leave phone messages. I am always polite, and sometimes even apologize for being annoying. But they all know it IS a big issue for us and seem to never hold it against me. One time I even called up the chain on someone and got a return call within an hour from the person I needed to hear from. He didn't hold it against me and he became more responsive in returning my calls? You can get a lot done faster if you become the (polite) squeaky wheel. But it is still VERY stressful! (((HUGS))) Blessings, Mary

Thanks Rachel, I appreciate the info. My dh has ALS. I read the previous thread and just wasn't ready to deal with the issue at the time.? I can see now that I should be thinking about it. Anyone remember the thread?

A month or so ago there was a thread about special need children and washable mattress pads. The thread had a wealth of information and I should have taken note. I now need the info as I am caring for my terminally ill dh. I have searched buy can't find the thread. Does anyone know what it was called? Thanks, Mary

Is he having pain or is he uncomfortable? If there is no pain or discomfort I wouldn't call it constipation. People have different body schedules and there is a wide range for normal. My dh would go every day, multiple times a day, at the same times every day. I'm like the case here. I can go every 2-3-4 days, quite a bit at a time, and multiple times on that day. No pain or discomfort at all. I wouldn't worry about it or mess about trying to change things if he's not uncomfortable. Just flush several times when going and make sure to flush before using the toilet paper. I never have a problem clogging things up if I do that.

One more vote for USAA. I have had USAA car insurance since 1977 when I was 19. Got it because my dad had it. Then I went in the military. Now my adult kids have it too. They view it as a legacy:) We have USAA car and homeowners insurance, USAA bank accounts, our mortgage is with USAA, and our VISA card is with USAA. They take AMAZING care of their customers. Hit a deer in February and did over $5,000 damage. They arranged the repair and the rental car. It was practically painless. I cannot say enough good things about USAA. The customer service is wonderful!

Just a thought, what about requiring him to have a life insurance policy with you as the beneficiary? Because if he passes prematurely there would be no alimony.

We also have American Home Shield.

We live in northern Virginia. Things are very pricey here. It probably paid for itself or we came out ahead. And of course it didn't cost $45 a month when we started 20 year ago.It it certainly gives us peace of mind. Edited to add: According to Home Advisor, the average cost for a furnace is about $4,000, and for central air conditioning it is about $5,000. Of course as with everything it depends on a lot of factors, i.e. house size, gas vs electric vs oil, brand, location in country, etc. I'd be willing to bet here it would be more.

We've kept one since we purchased our first house. It is about $45 a month. Over the last 20 years it has replaced a washing machine, dishwasher, furnace and air conditioner, in addition to numerous repair jobs. We have found it pays off.

Was the realtor your sister worked with hers, i.e. a buyer's realtor, or the realtor of the seller? I didn't read all the posts so don't know if you already said. We used a buyer's realtor when we bought our first house because we were clueless. She knew she would get a commission from whatever house be bought so wasn't invested is us buying any particular house.

There is a type of dementia linked to Parkinson's disease. It might be something you would want brought up to her neurologist. He could order neuro-psych testing to see if anything is up.

Nabisco Ideal cookies. I went overseas with the Air Force in 1986 and when I came back in 1988 they were gone!

I voted under mount sink. That is what we just got in a master bath remodel and I love it. The above mount sinks look cool on home improvement shows, but I always wondered how you would clean where the sink meets the counter. Seemed like it would be a pain.

I totally agree the police should have been called. This girl needs some professional help to learn to handle her anger. Ignoring this behavior is no favor to her. What if she had had a weapon available?! And as a side note, I am the mother of two grown daughters.

Double post - oops!

On a different note - what is your dd auditioning for?