Middle-aged adults are finding themselves financially “sandwiched” between 2 generations: their children and their aging parents.
This dual responsibility isn’t new, but it’s now more costly than ever. On one end, parents are often supporting their children past the age of 18. On the other, seniors are living longer but may not have the savings to match their longevity.
And this means the middle generation is covering both bills—including dental costs. With so much responsibility, how is the sandwich generation expected to save on dental expenses?
These tips can help reduce dental costs:
Keep ahead of future costs by focusing on preventive care for your children. Instill good oral health habits at a young age, schedule regular dental exams and use your full benefits to avoid any future restorative costs.
Although your adult children are eligible to stay on your benefits until they turn 26, it may make financial sense if they sought out their own plan sooner. Talk to them about their options and financial capabilities.
Aging seniors often have a hard time accessing dental care. Two possibilities to get them covered:
• Supplement their Medicare plan. Medicare does not cover routine dental care, but certain supplement plans and resourcescan help lower costs. Learn what these resources are and if they financially make sense for your family.
• Seek out an affordable individual plan. Many providers – like Delta Dental – have affordable coverage for seniors over 65. Learn about your options today.
By being a caregiver to both your children and your parents, it’s easy to neglect your needs. Be sure to take care of yourself by maintaining your health, using your insurance plan and keeping up-to-date with your dental appointments.
Have questions about dental plans for all of your family’s generations? Feel free to contact us today.