Most people don’t spend much time thinking about long-term care until they have to. But research tells a clear story: planning isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.

The good news? Today, there are more flexible and personalized options than ever before. If you’ve assumed your only choices were long-term care insurance, paying out of pocket, or moving into a senior living community, it may be time to take a closer look.

The Reality: Most of Us Will Need Care

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 70% of adults over age 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime. That care may include:

• Short-term support after a hospital stay
• Help with daily activities like bathing or mobility
• Ongoing or advanced care over time

The Cost of Waiting

Without a plan, long-term care decisions are often made during a health event or family emergency. That can lead to:

• Paying high, unpredictable rates for home care
• Relying heavily on family members
• Moving into a senior living community sooner than expected
• Rapid depletion of savings

Planning ahead helps you stay in control of both your lifestyle and your finances.

More Options Than Ever Before

Traditionally, long-term care planning has focused on three main strategies: long-term care insurance policies, paying for care on an out-of-pocket basis, or moving into a senior living community. For many people, these choices can feel limiting or incomplete.

What most people want is to age in place, in the homes and communities they love. In fact. AARP reports that more than 75% of Americans want to remain in their homes as they age. The challenge has been finding a way to make that possible while still planning responsibly for future care needs.

A Smarter Approach to Aging in Place

Friendship at Home is a model designed to meet the burgeoning demand for aging in place. It’s a lifelong membership program featuring a concierge-driven approach. Here’s a look at what makes this model different.

A Personal Health Navigator, by Your Side

Every member is paired with a dedicated Personal Health Navigator who provides 24/7 support. These professionals provide a number of impactful services:

• Coordinate healthcare and home care services
• Help manage medical appointments, hospital stays, insurance and post-acute care
• Serve as a trusted advocate for you and your family

This level of care coordination is typically missing from other long-term care planning approaches, and it can significantly reduce stress and complexity.

Lifelong Services That Support Independent Living

Aging well means having ready access to a wide array of health, wellness and lifestyle services. Whether you need help with managing your nutrition, exercise or medications, accessing home care services, or finding assistance with things like meals, transportation or home maintenance, your membership includes access to the services and coverage options that help you live independently at home.

Long-Term Asset and Legacy Protection

One of the biggest concerns in long-term care planning is cost. Without a structured plan, expenses can escalate quickly, especially when paying for care privately or transitioning to a senior living community.

Friendship at Home offers a more predictable structure:

• A one-time membership fee
• A consistent monthly fee
• Coverage for home care when needed

This helps reduce financial uncertainty and preserve more of what you’ve built.

A Path Forward to a Senior Living Community

Choosing to age in place doesn’t limit your future options. If your needs evolve, Friendship at Home provides direct access to senior living communities, including Friendship Village of Dublin and partner communities nationwide.

This means you can remain at home as long as possible, with the assurance of knowing you have a residential plan in place. This also allows you to avoid rushed decisions in the event you need to move quickly.

Planning Isn’t About Expecting the Worst

It’s about protecting the life you’ve worked hard to build. Long-term care planning today isn’t about choosing between extremes. It’s about finding the right balance—the “sweet spot” between independence and security.