HARRISBURG, PA—As one of 16 states taking part in a federal campaign to raise awareness of Americans’ need for long term care options, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell this week announced that his state saw 200,000 requests for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “Own Your Future” kits.
That response is nearly double the rate of other states’ interest, government officials say. Pennsylvania saw 13 percent of its state’s citizens aged 45 to 65 request the kits compared to a response rate that averaged between five and seven percent, according to federal statistics.
The Own Your Future campaign is part of a government effort under the auspices of Health and Human Services to promote Americans’ need to be more aware of long term care options. Medicare does not cover the costs of many long-term care services. Instead, the private sector is expected to fill that role.
“With this campaign, the government is sending you a message: you can’t rely on us,” said Angela Palo, vice president of Pinnacle Financial Services. Her company has a newly established Web site—www.PFSHealthyLiving.com—that’s designed to provide a clearing house for long-term care information. “We firmly agree with the government that people need to consider their long-term care needs.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70 percent of Americans who reach 65 or older will need some sort of long-term care services. Palo says it’s important to understand those services are highly customizable.
“When people hear about long-term care, they automatically thing of a nursing home,” she said. “Personal long-term care insurance gives you the opportunity to receive care how—and where—you want it. It can be in your own home, in an adult day care facility or any number of rehabilitative options. The point is you are in control of your own destiny.”
The Own Your Future campaign is soon expanding to incorporate awareness campaigns in all states.
For receive more information about long term care insurance, visit PFSHealthyLiving.com.