Most people envision themselves as young and healthy. No one wants to think that someday they may be unable to eat, bathe or get dressed on their own, or that they could have a disesase like Alzheimer's. Long-term care is what you'd need to help you perform daily activities if you had an ongoing illness or disability. You may be in your home, an assisted living facility or a nursing home. In fact, about 60 percent of people who reach 65 will need long-term care at some point.

But of course, it comes with a price. According to the Federal Long-term Care Insurance Program, the average nursing home stay is 2.6 years and the national annual cost of a semi-private room is $52,000. Nursing home costs go up about 5 percent each year. By the year 2030, they are estimated to reach nearly $200,000.

So who will pay for it? Your adult children may be financially unable. Medicare covers only a limited amount of care after a hospital stay, and Medicaid will apply only when your savings run out. Health insurance covers medical care for illness, injuries or hospital stays. Disability insurance replaces only the income you lose if you can't work after an accident or injury.

However, there is help available. Long-term care insurance can cover the cost of this care and protect your assets. Once you qualify, you'll remain eligible as long as you pay your premiums. Apply as soon as possible; the premium is based on your age when you get the insurance, and it usually stays at that rate. In most cases, you cannot qualify for long-term care insurance if you are already ill. Remember -- long-term care insurance claims may be paid 10 or 20 years after the policy is written. That's why it's a good idea to choose a stable insurance company with a history of writing long-term care policies. Check with ratings services before making a choice. When shopping around, look for a policy that you can customize with the right combination of benefits for you such as:

Location of care: in your home, in a nursing home, in an adult day center or in an assisted living facility

Type of care: skilled nursing care, custodial care, home health aides

Options for benefits (pay monthly or daily) and length of coverage

Flexibility in applying benefits

The number of days that you pay before your policy benefits begins, (ranging from 30 to 365 days)

Coverage of mental illness such as Alzheimer's

It's a difficult thing that you likely don't want to think about, but getting long-term care insurance now will save you headaches and hassles when the time arrives later.