Chances of Needing Personal Care

Medical technology, diet and exercise have all contributed to extending the life expectancy today.  With people living longer, with or without illness, the chances of needing custodial care increase with age.  For men, aged 65 or over, one out of every three people will require some care.  For women, one out of every two will need care.  What people do not realize is that long term care is a continuum of care, usually starting in the home for many years, then going on to assisted living, and possibly nursing home care or skilled care for the last few years of life.  This is an important point since many people think of long-term care insurance as nursing home care, where in fact it is insurance that covers you for all three levels of care.