Nearly half of nursing home residents are age 85 and older and two thirds are women according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).  The latest data was shared as national Long-Term Care Awareness Month (November) approached.

"Around 85 percent of nursing home residents are age 65 or older according to the latest national data," states Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).   The founder and director of the organization said the organization focused on sharing key data in advance of the national month designed to call attention to the importance of increasing long-term care awareness and planning.

According to Slome, some 15 percent of nursing home residents are under age 65 with 16 percent between ages 65 and 74.  "Over a fourth (27 percent) are between ages 75 and 84 with the balance, 42 percent, age 85 or older."

"Most people still associate long-term care planning with a need for skilled nursing home care," Slome shared with the agent members of the trade group.  "This is important information to share while, at the same time, pointing out that a significant share of long-term care insurance claims begin and end with home care."  Slome noted the organization would share home health care utilization data at a future point.

Just over two-thirds of those receiving long-term care services in nursing homes are women according to the AALTCI webinar.  "Long term care planning is vital for women because they clearly have the greatest need and often the fewest or least available resources," Slome pointed out.  "Don't forget to tell women about short term care insurance policies which can be an affordable and suitable way to prepare fopr women alone," Slome reminded the insurance professionals.

To learn more about long-term care costs and options visit the Association's website at www.aaltci.org.  To request long term care insurance costs call the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance at 818-597-3227 or visit the organization's website to request a no-cost, no-obligation quote.