Keep in mind that long term care insurance is named for just that – when some one needs health care for an extended period of time. 

This could be due to suffering from cancer, it could be as a result from an debilitating injury, a stroke, or other medical problems that could require needing the services of a health care facility, or in-home nursing home. 

Most medical insurance does not cover long term care.  This is something you need to purchase in addition to your basic medical insurance. 

To start your search for affordable long term care insurance, ask yourself exactly what your needs are, or what they could become.  You need to match your needs to the options available to you. 

It is not easy to formulate answers to some of the questions that you should ask, such as:

How much am I able/willing to spend on long term care? 

Do I have any family members that are in a position to take me into their home (or move into my home) for an extended period?

If they are willing, the next question is, do they have the health, strength and ability to care for whatever my health needs are?

If not, what living conditions would be acceptable to me?

Would I be willing to consider moving into a rest home or adult foster care, or having professional in-home nursing care?

These can be difficult questions to answer, but if something does happen to your health they will certainly be asked, and at that time you may not be in a position to answer them.  It is a consideration to the rest of the family to make preparations for whatever the future may bring. 

If you turn out to be one of the ones that never needs any extended health care – GREAT!  Enjoy life and enjoy your family the way you were meant to. 

Having long term care insurance can be thought of like a spare tire in the trunk – with four good tires on the road we may never need the spare, but isn't it a good feeling knowing it is there?