An insured has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and needs substantial supervision to protect his own safety, even though he can still physically perform most daily tasks. Which statement about this LTC benefit trigger is correct?
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Long-term care policies provide two benefit triggers: loss of a specified number of activities of daily living (typically two) OR severe cognitive impairment. A person with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia may retain physical abilities yet need constant supervision because of memory loss, confusion, or unsafe behavior. For such a person, cognitive impairment alone is enough to trigger benefits — no ADL loss is required. The existence of the cognitive impairment is generally certified by a licensed health care practitioner. This dual-trigger structure is the core design of modern LTC insurance and addresses the reality that dementia, not only physical decline, drives much long-term care spending.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) Cognitive impairment is an independent trigger; a severe cognitive impairment alone is sufficient, without any ADL loss.
- C) Benefits are triggered by a licensed health care practitioner's certification of cognitive impairment, not by a court declaration of incompetency.
- D) Cognitive impairment is a full benefit trigger; once the elimination period is satisfied, benefits are payable.
Memory hook
ADL loss OR cognitive impairment — either trigger starts the clock. Dementia counts, no court order needed.