State officials are once again urging South Dakotans to consider long-term care insurance because nursing home costs can destroy a family's finances.

State Social Services Secretary Deb Bowman says many people mistakenly believe that only the elderly should worry about long-term care.  She says more than two-thirds of all Americans will need some form of long-term care after the age of 65, and planning ahead is a way to protect themselves and their families.

The Social Services Department says the average cost of nursing home care in South Dakota is more than $50,000 a year.  The department is sponsoring education sessions in 17 South Dakota cities in the next four months to help people understand how to plan for long-term care needs.

On the Net: www.ltcpartnership.sd.gov