The following is a true story, and not a paid endorsement.

“Dear Honey,

We are so grateful Neal bought long-term care (LTC)  insurance. He is now suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He needs help eating, dressing, bathing, and walking.

The LTC policy you sold him is paying for his caregiver, Martha to help him while I’m at work. We’ve grown to love and trust her. She is the kindest soul. She and Neal “clicked.”  She’s calm and efficient.

I teach full-time. Because of Neal’s long-term care insurance, our daughter and I have been able to preserve much more of our everyday routine. We are still at Neal’s side much of the time, but having Martha’s additional help is a huge relief, and gives us a sense of normalcy.

I shudder to imagine how different our lives would be if Neal hadn’t purchased LTC insurance. I have a friend whose husband also has ALS. He needs help 24 hours a day at this point. She has seen the comfortable and enjoyable retirement they’d envisioned vanish, due to the costs of care.

When you explain to me that only a small minority of Americans who are age and income appropriate own long-term care insurance, I am pretty incredulous. If our story could influence just one person to buy LTC, it is worth telling.” ~ Susan B, Houston, TX | October 2009