Even though you plan to remain healthy, active and independent, there’s a good chance, at some point, you’ll need help. Consider these statistics:

Seventy percent of people turning age 65 will need Long Term Care before they die. (1)

You may think that Long Term Care services are covered by your health insurance, disability insurance or Medicare. Unfortunately, that's usually not the case.

Health insurance is designed to cover acute care medical expenses — illnesses or injuries like cancer, a broken arm or a stroke. It will pay the hospital bills you incur for a stroke, but it won't pay for any long term assistance you may need once you go home, such as help dressing or using the bathroom.

An Estimated 44 million Americans age 18 and older provide unpaid assistance and support to older people and adults who live in the community. (1)

The value of this unpaid labor force is estimated to be at least $306 billion annually. (1)

Thirty two percent of caregivers provide care in the home for less than one year; 26% provide care for 1-2 years; 18% provide care for 3-7 years and 24% of caregivers provide care for 8 or more years. (2)

Although most caregivers bear their burden with love, many report enormous stress, feelings of guilt or inadequacy, depression and even physical ailments as a result of their care giving.

The table below gives the minimum assets and income each state allows nursing home residents and their spouses to keep for 2012. The federal government sets new minimum and maximum amounts each year, but states can set their own minimum requirements at any level between the federal limits.