Do You Know Your Number?

If you're caring for a loved one with special needs, chances are your life revolves around numbers.

• Medication dosages.
• Doctor appointments.
• Therapy sessions.
• Benefit limits.
• Account balances.
• Renewal deadlines.
• The number of hours of support needed each week.
• The number of days until the next IEP meeting.
• The amount of SSI received each month.
• The balance in an ABLE account.
• The phone numbers for doctors, therapists, caregivers, and service providers.

You've become an expert at managing the details because the details matter.

You think ahead. You plan ahead. You prepare for what comes next.

But amid all those important numbers, there is one that many families never calculate.

How much money will your loved one need over their lifetime?

It's understandable why this question often goes unanswered. The answer can feel overwhelming. It involves decades of uncertainty, changing care needs, inflation, healthcare expenses, housing costs, and support services that may evolve over time.

Yet this may be the most important number of all.

Because every financial decision you make today is ultimately trying to answer a single question:

Will there be enough?

Understanding the True Cost of a Lifetime of Care

Every family's situation is unique. Some individuals may be largely independent with minimal support needs. Others may require ongoing supervision, specialized medical care, housing assistance, transportation, therapies, or full-time caregiving.

When families begin adding up the potential costs, they are often surprised by what they discover.

A lifetime care plan may need to account for:

• Housing and living expenses
• Caregiving and personal support services
• Medical care and therapies
• Transportation needs
• Adaptive equipment and technology
• Recreation and social activities
• Education and vocational programs
• Inflation and rising healthcare costs
• Unexpected life events

Individually, these expenses may seem manageable. Over decades, however, they can add up to a substantial number.

For example, a loved one who requires an additional $25,000 per year of support over a 40-year period could need more than $1 million in resources. For families facing more extensive support needs, that number may be significantly higher.

This isn't meant to create fear.

It's meant to create clarity.

Why So Many Families Avoid the Calculation

In our experience, most families don't avoid planning because they don't care.

They avoid it because they care deeply.

The responsibility feels enormous.

Some worry they'll discover they haven't saved enough.

Others aren't sure where to begin.

Many simply assume they'll address it later when life slows down.

The reality is that there is never a perfect time to start.

And waiting doesn't make the question any easier to answer.

The good news is that you don't need every answer today. You simply need to begin the conversation.

Your Number Is More Than a Dollar Amount

When we help families think about their number, we're not just talking about money.

We're talking about quality of life.

We're talking about opportunities.

We're talking about independence, dignity, security, and support.

We're talking about creating a future where your loved one can continue to thrive, even when you're no longer there to coordinate every detail.

The goal isn't simply accumulating assets.

The goal is to create a plan that aligns your resources with the life you want for your loved one.

The Goal Isn't Perfection

Many families worry that once they calculate their number, they'll discover they're behind.

What we often find is something different.

They discover relief.

Because uncertainty is exhausting.

When you have a clearer understanding of what the future may require, you can make informed decisions. You can identify opportunities. You can prioritize what matters most.

Most importantly, you can stop guessing.

A coordinated plan doesn't guarantee certainty, but it can provide something many families are searching for:

Confidence.

Confidence that you've taken meaningful steps toward securing your loved one's future.

Confidence that you're making informed decisions.

Confidence that the future has been thoughtfully prepared for rather than left to chance.

You Don't Have to Do This Alone

If you've never calculated your number, you're not behind.

In fact, you're in good company.

Many families know they need a plan but aren't sure where to start. Others have pieces of a plan in place but aren't confident everything is working together.

That's exactly why our Special Needs Advisory practice exists.

You don't need to know how to calculate the number.

You don't need to know how much life insurance may be needed. You don't need to know whether your current savings are enough. You don't need to know how future care costs should be projected over decades.

You simply need to know who to ask.

Helping families answer these questions isn't just part of our business. It's what fuels this advisory practice. Every family's situation is unique. Every loved one has different needs, goals, and opportunities. That's why we believe planning should never be reduced to a generic formula.

Your loved one's quality of life matters.

Their opportunities matter.

Their future matters.

And their number matters.

If you're wondering whether there will be enough, we'd be honored to help you find the answer.

* Van Hulzen Financial Advisors is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill and or expertise. The material presented is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not meant to be considered investment advice or a solicitation to purchase or sell any securities. Van Hulzen is not a tax advisor. Any professionals highlighted in the material presented are not affiliates of Van Hulzen. The opinions, thoughts, views, or commentary expressed do not represent the official views of Van Hulzen or its employees. The information provided by any of the outside professionals highlighted has not been verified for accuracy.