I suppose it comes to a shock for most of us when our own parents are considered senior citizens. My parents are not old. I do not see them as old, but they both have their AARP cards. They can get discounts at movie theaters and restaurants. No one blinks twice when they order off the senior menu.

It makes me feel a little older than I actually am to be dealing with this reality.

My mom has lived with a terminal illness for over ten years now. It is providence that she lived long enough in the beginning to last through the new discoveries that have given her better health these past several years. When she was first diagnosed, there was one protocol for her cancer and it was not a very good one. More funding for research lately has led to new medical breakthroughs and she has benefited greatly.

Even so, she planned ahead and bought long term care insurance. I like to think my sister and I will be able to take care of my parents if need be, but you just never know what the next day will bring. I was looking on the AARP site to learn more about the topic and they do suggest not waiting until you are in your 70s or 80s to obtain this kind of insurance, so I suppose that is why people are getting it while they are still vital.