Chronic Illness

A qualifying Chronic Illness is an illness or physical condition that was initially certified by a licensed health care practitioner within the past 12 months and permanently affects the Insured Person so that he or she is unable to do (2 of the 6) normal Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) without
* substantial assistance*.

Therefore, when a person 

(1) is unable to perform (without Substantial Assistance from another individual) at least 2 Activities of Daily Living for a period of at least 90 consecutive days due to a loss of functional capacity, or

(2) requires substantial supervision by another person for a period of at least 90 consecutive days to protect the Insured from threats to health and safety due to his or her own Severe Cognitive Impairment

The 6 Activities of Daily Living include:

1. Eating, 
2.  Dressing, 
3. Bathing, 
4. Toileting, 
5. Transferring (moving to and from a bed or a chair), &
6. Continence (the ability to control movements of the bowels and bladder).

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – Defined 

1. Eating: feeding oneself from a plate, cup or table or by feeding tube or intravenously.

2. Dressing: putting on or taking off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners or artificial limbs.

3. Bathing: ability to wash oneself on a routine basis by sponge bath or in a tub or shower including getting into and out of a tub or shower. 

4.Toileting: getting to and from the toilet, off and on the toilet and performing associated personal hygiene. 

5.Transferring: moving in or out of a bed, chair or wheelchair. 

6. Continence: ability to maintain control of bowel or bladder function or, when unable to maintain control, the ability to perform associated personal hygiene, including caring for catheter or colostomy bag.

*Substantial supervision means hands-on assistance or stand-by assistance.*