It's easy to take our ability to perform day-to-day activities for granted, but this can change... especially as we age.

Fortunately, most of these changes aren't dramatically different from one day to the next - it's more of a gradual process.  In fact, you will likely pass through 5 stages of care, to some degree, in your retirement.

When you build and review your retirement income plan, it's important to consider your future health care needs.  Long term care insurance can help you protect this plan - helping you maintain your standard of living as much as possible.

People tend to think they will never need long-term care. Unfortunately, when they do need it they are not prepared. With long-term care insurance you can take control and be prepared. It helps you:

• Retain your independence
• Preserve your quality of life
• Stay at home as long as possible
• Maintain flexibility in care options
• Protect your assets and savings
• Avoid burdening friends and family

As life expectancies increase, there is a greater chance that people will require long-term care. Long-term care includes all health, social, psychological and other services to persons requiring supportive help for a long time.

Being financially ready for the possibility that you will require long-term care is an important part of retirement planning. But too many people are still preparing merely by hoping for the best.

For anyone 65 and older, the odds are not in your favor. Statistics show 70% of those who reach 65 will need long-term care. With long-term care costing as much as $250 a day, it doesn't take long to completely deplete a lifetime of savings—even if you're "lucky" enough to only need it for a relatively short period of time.

MARK MEINERS: 'The biggest misconception is that Medicare covers long-term care. It does not. Madden Meiners.

For those who buy and keep their policy it is a no-regret proposition. No one who has paid premiums and receives their benefits from the policy regrets having paid those premiums. And no one ever regrets being fortunate enough to never need those benefits.

At first blush, policies that help pay the costs of extended nursing care make perfect sense. Bills add up quickly when you can no longer take care of yourself and your needs exceed what family and friends can provide. Nursing homes, assisted-living centers and home care all are expensive, and there is no telling for how long you may need the service.