For T.J. Mancuso, 40, of Apex, N.C., the health of his parents took center stage five years ago when a medical condition left his father unable to qualify for long-term care insurance. Seeing his mother deal with the challenges of being a full-time caregiver, Mancuso decided that it was time for the family to come up with a better plan.

“Knowing that we couldn’t do anything for my dad, I was like, ‘let’s do something for mom,’ ” Mancuso says. So he and his wife Erica purchased a long-term care policy for his mother. “I’d rather spend money on a monthly premium today,” Mancuso says. “Maybe she’ll never need it, but I know what I’m spending monthly today is probably what a day or two of help would be down the road.” Learn more…