. >> reporter: philis douglas bought long-term care insurance when she turned 70. it costs her $140 a month with a lifetime cap of $100,000. >> the only thing i could get was limited because of my physical conditions. >> reporter: she paid $20,000 in premiums over 12 years. now it's paying for a private aid at the assisted living facility where the 85-year-old live since 2010. >> i didn't want the kids to take care of me that way if they didn't have to. they do anyway. >> reporter: her son fred enrolled for long-term coverage at work after seeing how his mom's plan has helped. >> it's prolonging the point at which that money will get consumed at the high rate that she's paying out because she's paying for facilities. >> reporter: strategy reporter says to enroll in 50s. >> the premiums can be pricey but there are different policies that will allow you to change different features of the policies and make it more affordable. >> reporter: individual plan premiums can start at $2,000 a year for healthy individuals in their 50s, depending on benefit levels. starting at