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Long-Term Care Insurance Introduction Long-term care is a concern that will not go away. People are living longer; medical breakthroughs have extended our lives. Therefore, the need for long-term care insurance has increased dramatically. Long-term care is extended care you would need (because of chronic illness, injury or frailties of old age) with the basic activities like bathing, dressing or eating. However, don't just assume that long-term care insurance is insurance for the elderly. Catastophic events can affect us at any time. Consider the example of Christopher Reeve. Long-term care is different from treatment you receive from a doctor or a hospital. It's also different from treatment you receive for conditions such as cataracts or a heart attack from which you can recover. All these types of treatments are typically covered, for the most part, by your health insurance policies. Long-term care is extended care, typically received at home, from a nurse, a home health aide or even a family member. It can be provided in a nursing home, assisted living facility or adult day-care center. Medicare, health plans and disability insurance typically provide little or no long-term care coverage. They were designed to pay for hospital and doctor care, not extended or personal care. Most long-term care costs are paid for by you or your family. With these costs being so high, assets can be very quickly depleted. Long-term care insurance gives you the ability and the financial resources to make choices. It reserves for you the right to get the care you need in the environment you choose. Perhaps, most of all, it can help you live out your advanced years with dignity and financial security. < PREVIOUS NEXT> #38599