Too many insurance agents who market long-term care insurance solutions are neglecting a market with the most significant need according to the director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

"There are millions of women age 65 and older living alone and they are very often overlooked by insurance agents, especially by male agents," states Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).   The Association director discussed the issue as part of his weekly update to insurance agents who market a variety of long-term care and short-term care insurance products.

"This morning's Wall Street Journal reminded me of this overlooked market that's being ignored," Slome noted.  According to a chart and U.S. Census data some 36 percent of women over age 65 lived alone in 2015.  Only 20 percent of men lived alone.

"Some 80 percent of older men were living with their spouse or someone else, so if and when they need care, they have a built-in caregiver," Slome explained.  "Compare that with only 45 percent of women age 65 or older who live with a spouse and another 19 percent who do live with someone else.  Women alone comprise a very large market."

The national expert urged agents to become more familiar with long-term care planning options that can meet the needs of women who live alone.  "Where available, I particularly think solutions that offer access to care without the 90-day certification can be a real advantage to women without a live-in spouse or family member who can provide care," Slome shared.  "Unlike tax-qualified traditional long-term care insurance policies which can require 90-days of care needs, short-term care insurance policies often do not have this requirement.  And, they can typically be more affordable as well."

The Association maintains various websites where consumers can access information and connect with professionals for no-cost long-term care insurance cost comparisons.  To learn more visit www.aaltci.org.  To learn about short term care insurance visit the National Advisory Center for Short Term Care Information at www.shorttermcareinsurance.org.