Long-term care insurance

What is long-term care?

Long-term care is something that most people may not think they need, or might think is covered by health insurance or Medicare. The fact is, if you live to be 65, there’s a 70% chance you’ll eventually need some kind of long-term care.1 But aging isn’t the only reason to plan for long-term care — it’s there for you if a chronic illness or disabling injury prevents you from living on your own or properly caring for yourself, no matter how old you are.

Long-term care helps with day-to-day tasks like bathing, eating, getting dressed, and getting in and out of bed. It includes care provided by nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, hospice facilities, and skilled nurses or home health aides in your (or your loved one’s) home. If you’re not the one who needs it, there’s a good chance you’ll need to help care for a loved one. Having a long-term care plan in place can help you continue to live well without sacrificing the income, investments, and savings you’ve worked so hard for. 1 in 5 Americans is expected to provide long-term care for a loved one in the future.

Reasons to plan for long-term care

1. You want to be able to get quality care quickly. If something happens, a long-term care plan helps you have the funds ready when you need them.
2. You want the freedom to either stay at home or get care at a good facility. Whatever choice you make, having a long-term care plan in place helps you afford it.
3. You want to protect your nest egg. Planning for long-term care can help prevent losing a lifetime of savings.
4. You want to be able to leave an inheritance. Long-term care planning helps keep your legacy intact for your family, friends, or charity.
5. You don’t want to rely on your children to take care of you. Let your loved ones be there for support without the burden of figuring out how to cover the cost of your care.