The Issue

With the current high cost of health care, very few people can afford the extended care that's often needed with chronic illness, injury or advancing age. That's why Long Term Care Insurance (LTC) is so important for anyone concerned about preserving financial security and independence if a lengthy disability occurs.

As a national average, one year in a nursing home is estimated to cost $40,000. In some regions, it can easily cost twice that amount. Home care is less expensive but still adds up. Bringing a health care professional into your home just three times a week can easily cost $1,000 each month. (1)

Currently, personal savings and government funding programs may be inadequate to cover the vast majority of long term care expenses. Personal assets of most individuals are often inadequate to cover long term care. Clearly, many individuals and families could see their assets quickly disappear.

Especially since the vast majority of caregivers are family members. Today, almost one fourth of American households are providing informal care to a friend or relative. (2)

There is a critical gap that needs to be filled -- one you can fill with Unum Life Insurance Company of America's Long Term Care Insurance. Unum is one of the leading providers of disability insurance in the U.S. today and offers both individual and group long term care insurance policies.

Highlights of the Unum Long Term Care insurance policy:

• You choose a monthly benefit amount to cover your expenses
• You choose when benefits are to begin
• You choose how long benefits will be paid for
• You choose where to receive the care - nursing home, assisted living, home health care

The Unum plans allow complete flexibility in designing a policy that is right for you. Whether you are trying to enhance your company's overall benefits plans, or are concerned about your personal family security, Unum has a program for you.

For more details, or to receive a quote, you may:

• Call us toll-free at 1-800-426-2413
• E-mail us at Vanessa@advantagebenefits.com.

Sources

(Statistics are based on projections by the author)
1 HIAA "Consumers Guide to Long Term Care," 1996.
2 "More Spend Time Caring for Elders," Karen S. Peterson, USA Today, March 18, 1997, p. 1D. Unum is the marketing brand of UnumProvident Corporation

©1999 UnumProvident Corporation. Unum® and the lighthouse artwork are registered trademarks of UnumProvident Corporation. All rights reserved.

Unum Life Insurance
Company of America
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Portland, Maine 04122