The cost of long-term health care concerns many Americans. As people get older, the risk of chronic, lengthy illnesses increases. At the same time, health care costs are outpacing inflation and steadily rising.

Moreover, chances are relatively high that a situation involving long-term care will affect you or your spouse. Thirty-six percent of 65-year-old men and 50% of 65-year-old women eventually need long-term care services, and one-third of individuals entering a nursing home will stay at least 2.9 years.

Faced with the probability of needing long-term care, you should be aware of the costs involved. A nursing home stay in the United States currently averages $55,000 per year; in some large metropolitan areas, the cost can top $100,000. And public assistance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, strictly limit benefits for long-term care.

But there is good news: insurers now offer long-term care insurance to help protect you and your family.

Deciding to purchase long-term care insurance is an important step. Did you know 40 percent of those needing long-term care are working-age adults, and that once your health begins to fail or you suffer a debilitating accident, you may no longer qualify for coverage? Also, because premiums are based on your age at the time you apply for coverage, the younger you are when you buy, the lower your premiums will be for life.

Bottom line: long-term care will affect many of us. Researching your options early will give you the time and information necessary to make the best decisions for you and your family. The insurance specialists in SBRN stand ready to help.

Francine Smith is a long-term care
insurance specialist with National
Health Administrators. She can be
reached at (904) 221-8061 or
Insure-Ltc@juno.com