In this guide-

+ Background on long term care insurance
+ Features to look for in long term care insurance policies
+ How to find the best long term care insurance policy for you

This short guide was created to help you understand the basics on how long term care insurance works and to help you choose the right long term care insurance policy for you. We do not sell any long term care insurance ourselves, so you can be assured that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.

Background on long term care insurance
Long-term care is the personal care and other related services provided when people are unable to provide for themselves as the result of a disability or prolonged illness. It ranges from providing personal care at home, such as bathing and dressing, to skilled nursing services in a nursing home. When you need long-term care you usually need help with some or all of your activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, eating and transportation. In other cases, you may be able to do all of your activities of daily living but still need care and supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment (memory loss, dementia, etc.) to help you remember such things as when to take your medications, how often to eat, etc.

Long-term care is offered through home care agencies, senior centers, adult day care centers, traditional nursing homes, and retirement communities that provide ongoing care. Long-term care is about needing care for a lengthy period of time, the kind of care that generally isn't covered by any health, medical or disability income insurance. Prior to getting into the nuts and bolts of long term care insurance policies, it is important to understand the types of care and care facilities available.

Types of Care:
Acute care- is usually provided in hospitals and emergency rooms for conditions that develop rapidly and can strike suddenly, like strokes and heart attacks. Your health insurance and Medicare will combine to cover some or all of the expenses for acute care because it is usually skilled care.

Chronic care- is usually provided in your home, nursing homes, and other assisted living facilities for conditions that are treatable, but generally not curable. Your health insurance and Medicare will usually not cover chronic care because it is not considered skilled care.