Americans are living longer. However improved medical science cannot keep us from needing assistance with normal living activities and healthcare as we age. Assistance can range from a home health care worker who stops by for a few hours a day to needing our own bed in a 24 hour a day nursing home. Medicare is only intended to cover a few days of nursing care, and was never intended to be a long term solution. However, as we age, it becomes much more likely that we will need assistance for months, or even years.

Home health care costs can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars a month, depending upon the level of need. Of course, assisted living facilities and nursing homes will cost thousands of dollars a month. This cost is probably way over the amount that most people have to spend when they retire.

Of course we have a safety net, and that is Medicaid. But Medicaid usually means that an individual must deplete their own savings and assets before they qualify. This may also mean that they will leave a spouse with much less to live on than they had originally planned. And of course, a spend down of assets and savings, will probably eliminate the chance of leaving anything to heirs.

This is why more Americans are considering Long term care insurance, and some companies even offer it as a group benefit! Long term care insurance plans come with a variety of options for covering home health care, assisted living, and nursing homes. These plans may have waiting periods and deductible amounts, just like other types of insurance. Some plans even adjust their benefit for anticipated inflation!

The variety of long term care insurance plans that are available should help Americans find an affordable plan. Of course, these types of insurance plans do not accept very unhealthy people, and the premium rises as applicant's age. So it may be a good idea to consider purchasing a plan at a younger age, when premiums are lower, and the applicant is still healthy!

Since the subject of long term care insurance is complex, and they are long term contracts, I would suggest shopping around. After you get an idea of the types of long term care insurance that appeal to you, and that seem to fit in your budget, then you may consult with an experienced insurance agent to get a balanced opinion.