If you don’t know your options, it can be discouraging to look for life insurance when you’re older than 50. It’s a commonly held belief that insurance over 50 is expensive and difficult to get. But the truth is, it is possible to find an affordable insurance policy, even when you have health concerns, that will help take care of your loved ones after you’re gone—and make sure they don’t incur any unnecessary expenses.

Finding affordable life insurance can be difficult, but understanding your options is the first step in finding a policy that’s right for you.

As you age, your requirements change when it comes to life insurance. Your kids have likely grown up and are living lives of their own, and they don’t depend on you to financially support them. What’s more, you may have already paid off your mortgage and other debt. That’s why so many people over 50 look at life insurance differently than they did in their 20s and 30s.

If you’re thinking about getting a life insurance policy at your age, you’ll need to think carefully about what you want from your policy. Do you want to leave a cash windfall to your loved ones, or ensure that you pay for your final expenses so they don’t have to?

Deciding what sort of policy you need, how much coverage you should have, how long you need it for, and how much you can afford will help ensure that you select the right policy for you and your family if something happens to you.

People with new families often use life insurance to provide for them when they no longer can. They want to make sure their spouse and children can continue to live the life they’ve become accustomed to.

But once you reach 50, things change.

Even so, it still makes sense to provide for your beneficiaries in some areas. For instance, families feel an array of strong emotions dealing with the passing of a loved one, and the high costs of funerals can exasperate them. That’s why so many people who don’t feel the need to provide a large cash payout to beneficiaries do arrange for a life insurance policy to pay their funeral expenses.

And if you incurred medical bills, it’s a good idea to leave your beneficiaries enough money to pay them off. The same is true for outstanding bills like utilities, car payments, and other normal living expenses.

If others still rely on you financially, you should consider them when thinking about life insurance. For example, your spouse, children, or siblings may rely on you for financial support. When you purchase a life insurance policy, you can designate beneficiaries and ensure that they’re taken care of even after you pass.