More families than ever before are going through a long-term care situation (NOW) and many more eventually will go through this with their parents, relatives, and spouses. When you live a long life, it is inevitable that you will need some type of long-term care. Today, long-term care is the greatest uninsured risk Americans face.

With this wonderful opportunity of living a longer life come two major concerns: not outliving our money and needing long-term care. Depending on your age, what is the greatest risk you face in 10 years… 20 years… 30 years… not dying.

Living.

When you live, you get old When you get old, you get sick When you get sick, you need care

Some experts claim that long-term care is a woman's issue and there is some truth to this. That's because women generally live longer than men live and face more risk of needing long-term care services themselves. The fact is women are the primary caregivers-for spouses and parents, sometimes both at the same time. This can be an emotionally and physically demanding dilemma, sometimes causing their own health to deteriorate.

Go ahead and ask any man. Most will tell you the one thing he knows for certain is he's never going to need this long-term care "stuff”. Unfortunately, the facts show otherwise. And when a man needs long-term care, it affects his spouse and his family-their lifestyle and financial future. It changes his life and everyone's life around him, too. 70% of all married couples can expect one partner to need long-term care.

Mention long-term care to someone in their forties or fifties and they are likely to say, "I don't need it today,” or "I'll think about it when I'm retired…or when I'm older”. If you are between ages 40-60 your lives are different from your parents and your grandparents. Long-term care is a modern day real risk!

Finding out your options NOW is vital to maintaining your financial independence, your retirement assets, and your future choices. A change in your health-your next visit to the doctor, or an accident can make it impossible to have the protection you need-no matter how much you are willing to pay.

Remember there is good news and there is bad news:

The Good News: You get to live a long life.

The Bad News: You get to live a long life.