Although long-term care is a substantial risk that is threatening older Americans’ financial well-being, the demand for long-term-care insurance is not as strong as expected. The literature suggests that only 13 percent of the elderly above the age of 65 are insured against the possibility of going to a nursing home. This study examines the determinants of long-term-care insurance purchases. It is found that the probability of leaving bequests is related positively to obtaining long-term-care insurance. However, the number of children is associated negatively with purchasing long-term-care insurance.
