Final answer:
Stanley's long-term care insurance coverage for hiring someone to assist him with eating depends on his policy's terms, typically requiring inability to perform multiple ADLs. Medicaid and state eligibility also affect coverage, and costs for elder care are expected to rise globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Stanley is unable to feed himself and has long-term care insurance, the coverage of expenses related to hiring someone for eating assistance depends on the terms of his policy. Generally, long-term care insurance does cover assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include eating. However, some policies may require the individual to be unable to perform a certain number of ADLs before they can receive benefits. In many cases, this threshold is being unable to perform at least two ADLs. Therefore, if Stanley's policy has this requirement, and eating is the only ADL he cannot perform, he may not be eligible for benefits under his plan.
Option a is the most likely scenario, as it is common for long-term care insurance policies to require an individual to be unable to perform a specific number of ADLs. Public programs like Medicaid do contribute to costs for those who are eligible, but eligibility can vary significantly by state. The worldwide demand for elder care is expected to increase costs in this sector in the coming years.