You can imagine that the need for long term care may happen at any age. Today's society demands that more family members must maintain full time employment. The same economic environment also demands that families become detached because a career may force a move to a different city or province. At one time the norm was that family members were the primary care givers to those in need. This is no longer the case. It is just not possible. Further, with an aging society made up mostly of baby boomers, there is just not enough younger family members that can act as care givers.

It is a fact that people are living much longer as a result of modern medical advancement. More people survive from serious illnesses such as strokes and heart attacks. The fact that people survive these illnesses does not mean that they are healthier over all. The results of a heart attack that may have caused a loss of life in recent years now means a likely hood of a long period during which long term care may be needed.

It is important to understand that it is the families that pay for the cost of long term care. The government only subsidizes the costs. The government only pay's 100% of the "health costs". The patient is still responsible for the costs of nursing, therapy and medications. For those requiring home health care, the costs include things like equipment, home renovations, live in care giver and other special needs.

The benefits of long term care insurance are that a person is able to maintain independence, make their own decisions and protect assets.

We at Elliott Insurance Services Ltd. are members of the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors.