What Is critical illness insurance? / $

What are the Risks?

We all like to think that "It won't happen to me!" However, the statistics show us that the chances of suffering and surviving a critical illness are real. Consider the following:

HEART DISEASE:

• 1 in 4 Canadians will contract some form of heart disease.
• 75,000 Canadians suffer heart attacks each year.
• However, there has been a 50% decrease in the heart and stroke rate since 1950.

• 1 in 3 Canadians will develop a life threatening cancer.
• 125,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year.

• 50,000 Canadians suffer a stroke each year.
• 75% survive the initial event.

• More than 50,000 Canadians have Multiple Sclerosis
• MS is the most common neurological disease among young Canadians.

The Cost of Living with a Critical Illness

The impact of surviving a critical illness goes beyond the physical and emotional consequences. Consider some of the new expenses you might face if you were to survive a debilitating stroke.

LIFESTYLE ADAPTATION EXPENSES	Home Care	Companion: $100 per 8 hour shift Nurse: $240 per 8 hour shift
	Wheelchair	Non-Motorized: $4,000 - $6,000 Motorized: $8,000 - $10,000
	Walker	No-Wheels: $120 - $140 Wheels: $190 - $256
TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES	Motorized Scooter	$3,600 and up
	Chauffeur	$50 per
	Van Conversion (assumes already own a minivan)	Electric lift: $2,690 Automatic door opener: $900 Hand controls: $600 Remote for hand controls: $625 Power seat base: $2,000 Raised roof: $3,500 Van doors raised: $2,000 Wheelchair tie down: $50 Total: $12,365
HOME CONVERSION EXPENSES	Exterior Access	Ramp leading to house: $50 per square foot Landing at end of ramp: $15 per square foot Porch lift: $4,500
	Bathroom	Toilet, shower, sink: $8,000 - $15,000 Grab bars: $100 per bar
	Doors	All doorways: $800 per unit Patio doors: $2,000 Automatic front door: $2,200
	Stairs	Lift for straight stairway: $3,500 Lift for circular stairway: $13,000 Elevator: $15,000 - $25,000
	Additions	Wheelchair needs 5 foot turning radius (most homes are not built to provide this): $100 - $150 per foot

Other Insurance Needs

• Long Term Care Insurance
• Disability Insurance/Income Protection
• Personal Health and Dental Protection
• Life Insurance