Genworth Launches Age Simulation Suit

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Genworth (NYSE: GNW) unveiled the Genworth R70, a first of its kind, state-of-the-art age simulation suit that will help raise awareness about the need for long term care planning and educate the public on the physical effects associated with aging. The Genworth R70 provides consumers with a powerful experience, allowing them to understand and empathize with what it feels like to grow old.

Artist rendering of the Genworth R70, a first of its kind, state-of-the-art age simulation suit that was unveiled Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, at the Social Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley, California. Genworth created the suit to help raise awareness about the need for long term care planning and educate the public on the physical effects associated with aging. The Genworth R70 provides consumers with a powerful experience, allowing them to understand and empathize with what it feels like to grow old.

The suit's name reflects the Reality that 70 percent of Americans will require long term care after the age of 65 and simulates the following afflictions:

State of the art helmet with acoustic muffling that gives the effect of hearing loss that often occurs with aging
Lenses that simulate declines in vision plus the common vision disorders that occur with aging (e.g. glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration)
Restrictive fabrication that gives the effect of arthritis in the knees, spine and elbows
Boots that bring to life the balance disorder that occurs with aging
Gloves that impair dexterity, similar to the effects of arthritis, and weights to simulate muscle loss in the arms
Restrictive internal mechanism to affect the problems that older people experience with posture

Unveiled at the Social Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley, California, the Genworth R70 was created in association with Hollywood special effects studio Spectral Motion (X-Men, Hellboy), costume designer Erin Benach (Drive, Place Beyond the Pines and Midnight Special) and illustrator Christian Cordella (Captain America, Iron Man 3, 300: Rise of the Empire).

(View video about the making of the Genworth R70.)

Dr. Edward Schneider, dean emeritus/professor at the University of Southern California'sLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, consulted on the project from the beginning to ensure that the simulations were authentic to the aging process.

"I am excited to be part of this project - helping Genworth encourage people to begin thinking about the future and making choices now to help ensure they live more comfortably as they age," says Dr. Schneider.

"Having 'the talk' about long term care with loved ones can be an awkward conversation because of the sensitive subject matter," says Tom McInerney, Genworth's president and CEO. "Furthermore, many young adults often feel invincible to the physical changes and challenges that aging can present. We are proud to introduce the Genworth R70 to help encourage Americans to think long term, become more sensitive to aging issues, and start discussions about long term care plans for themselves and /or loved ones."

Genworth plans to use the R70 age simulation suit throughout 2015 as a tool to continue educating the public on the effects of aging and, additionally, as a sensitivity training tool with employees.

About Genworth Financial

Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE: GNW) is a leading Fortune 500 insurance holding company committed to helping families become more financially secure, self-reliant and prepared for the future. Genworth has leadership positions in long term care insurance and mortgage insurance and competitive offerings in life insurance and fixed annuities that assist consumers in solving their insurance, retirement and home ownership needs.

Genworth operates through three divisions: U.S. Life Insurance, which includes life insurance, long term care insurance and fixed annuities; Global Mortgage Insurance, containing U.S. Mortgage Insurance and International Mortgage Insurance segments; and the Corporate and Other division, which includes the International Protection and Runoff segments. Products and services are offered through financial intermediaries, advisors, independent distributors and sales specialists. Genworth, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, traces its roots back to 1871 and became a public company in 2004. For more information, visit genworth.com. From time to time, Genworth releases important information via postings on its corporate website. Accordingly, investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll to receive automatic email alerts and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings. Enrollment information is found under the "Investors" section of genworth.com. From time to time, Genworth's publicly traded subsidiaries, Genworth MI Canada Inc. and Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia Limited, separately release financial and other information about their operations. This information can be found at http://www.genworth.com.au and http://genworth.ca.