Long Term Care Insurance Association Calls For Candidates To Address Pending Tsunami Of Care Needs

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Millions of Americans are unprepared for the consequences of living longer lives. November marks Long Term Care Awareness Month, an ideal time for policy-makers and consumers to focus on the topic, according to a national trade group.

"We are facing a tsunami of care needs for aging Americans," declares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). "What's our nation's plan for the day when one in four Americans will be over age 60?" While the need for long term care services is not limited to the elderly, those ages 65 and older are 10 times more likely to need care according to AALTCI.

Established in 2001 and recognized by Congress, Long Term Care Awareness Month is the ideal time for policy-makers and individuals to focus on the issue. "We are calling on each Presidential candidate to recognize the importance of this issue; one that will impact millions of Americans and their families," Slome adds.

"People mistakenly believe that long-term care is covered by health insurance or Medicare," shares Bill Naylon, President of MedAmerica Insurance Company, a leading long-term care insurance carrier. "Creating awareness is the first step in assuring that people have a long term care plan in place. Elected officials and those running for office can play an important role in starting the discussion to heighten awareness and drive solutions."

"There is already a huge financial, emotional and physical strain on individuals and families who must pay for or provide care for aging spouses and parents," Slome notes. Total national spending for long term care services exceeds $300 billion annually according to AALTCI, with Medicaid covering just over half of total expenditures.

"Concern about financial security during retirement resulted in the creation of 401(k) and IRA retirement savings vehicles and today 50 million Americans participate in one of these plans," Slome shares. "Now we need to address long-term care."

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance is a national advocacy group. To learn more about long term care insurance planning, read six online consumer guides available on the organization's website at www.aaltci.org/guides.

During November individuals interested on obtaining long term care insurance costs or information can request no-obligation comparisons from leading insurers by calling AALTCI at 818-597-3227.

Keywords for this news article include: Legal Issues, Investment and Finance, American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

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