03 March 2006
Sebelius encourages older Kansans to plan for their future
Governor kicks off effort to encourage Kansans to plan for long-term care
Most Kansans over age 65 will require long-term care at some point, which is why Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced a statewide effort to encourage Kansans to actively plan for their long-term care.
Statistics show that about 60 percent of all persons over age 65 will need some type of long-term care during their lifetime, and about 40 percent will need nursing home care.
“Long-term care services aren’t covered by Medicare, disability insurance or private health insurance,” Sebelius said. “Instead, most long-term care is paid out of pocket by the patient, with Medicaid taking over only when their assets have been depleted. Planning ahead can ease the burden on patients and their loved ones.”
Sebelius was joined at a Statehouse news conference today by supporters of the effort, including Acting Secretary of Aging Kathy Greenlee and Acting Long-Term Care Ombudsman Deb Merrill.
The “Own Your Future” long-term care awareness effort began with a letter mailed to Kansas households with household member between the ages of 50 and 70. The letter encourages Kansans to order a tool kit with information to help them plan ahead for long-term care services in their later years.
The kit includes a booklet and audio CD, and covers a broad range of topics, including what is and what is not covered by public programs, as well as interviews with persons engaged in several different types of planning activities, such as getting a reverse mortgage, buying insurance or setting up a power of attorney.
The kit is available by calling 1-866-PLAN-LTC (752-6582).
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a partner in the effort, and the agency reports the average stay in a nursing home costs nearly $150,000. For the 20 percent of nursing home residents whose stay goes beyond five years, the average costs exceed $280,000. Home care is less expensive, but it can still cost between $16,000 and $20,000 per year.
“These are costs that many families don’t have the resources to deal with, which is why long-term care insurance can be such a valuable safety net,” said Sebelius.
Long-term care planning is especially important in Kansas, Sebelius said, because of the state’s high percentage of residents over age 65. The 2000 Census indicated that 13.3 percent of Kansans were over the age of 65, which is nearly a full point above the national average. By 2025, one in five persons in Kansas will be 65 or older.
Kansas is part of Phase II of the effort, which is sponsored by HHS along with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Administration on Aging. They are working closely with the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Five states participated in Phase I of the pilot project last year: Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey and Virginia. Joining Kansas in Phase II are Maryland and Rhode Island.
Anyone interested in requesting a tool kit, regardless of age or where they live, can call 1-866-PLAN-LTC (752-6582). An online version of the tool kit, including audio of the CD, can be found at www.ksgovernor.org or www.ltcaware.info.
