Did you know 70 percent of us will need some type of long-term care in our lifetimes?
Do you know the answers to these questions?
- Will Medicare or private insurance pay for in-home care for
my mother if she becomes ill or disabled?
- What is an advance directive?
- Do I need long-term care insurance?
- Should I get a reverse mortgage?
- What programs are available in my community to help me stay active and healthy?
Dozens of area residents got answers to these questions and more at the Own Your Future Long-term Care Planning Forum on July 2 in Mason. The free forum stressed the importance of planning for long-term care needs now, before an emergency forces you to make uncomfortable decisions about how and where someone you love might receive long-term care.
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) partnered with Ohio aging and insurance officials to host this free long-term care community forum, where area residents had a chance to talk with experts in the community about long-term care. Similar events will be held throughout the state, hosted by other Area Agencies on Aging.
The forum included a presentation by Barbara Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, and representatives from the Ohio Department of Insurance and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The event also included information and experts representing from:
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About Ohio's Own Your Future Campaign
If you’re one of 1.7 million Ohioans age 45 to 65, you should have received a letter from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland encouraging you to start planning now for something many of us put off until it’s too late – our long-term care needs. The letter is part of Ohio’s Own Your Future campaign, which urges Ohioans to start planning for their long-term care needs by requesting a free Long-Term Care Planning Kit and attending an informational forum in their area.
Click here to read a copy of the letter mailed to Ohioans.
Click here to download a copy of Ohio’s Long-Term Care Planning Kit.
The Own Your Future campaign started in 2005 to increase consumer awareness about, and planning ahead for, long-term care. The campaign is a collaboration of federal and state agencies – the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and state level departments of aging and insurance. Ohio is the 18th state to participate in the campaign.
The Own Your Future campaign:
- describes various tools, services and products available to help meet long-term care needs
- encourages legal and estate planning
- helps consumers explore the best ways to pay for the long-term care services they choose
- stresses the importance of healthy lifestyles
In an official announcement April 29, Gov. Strickland said, “According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about nine million men and women over the age of 65 needed long-term care in 2007. Discussions about the long-term care needs of an aging family member can be difficult, and are too often put off until a loved one needs care,” Strickland said. “The ‘Own Your Future’ campaign is a great first step toward helping Ohio families have meaningful discussions and make decisions about long-term care needs before those types of services are needed.”
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Long-term Care Consultations
In addition to the Own Your Future campaign, COA always offers free long-term care consultations to anyone who is thinking about their long-term care needs. Click here for more information about COA’s free long-term care planning consultations or call (513) 721-1025.
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Fact Sheets and More Information
Forum Flier
Planning Kit
Governor's Letter
National Web site
Planning and information resources
Free long-term care consultations available now
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