119 W. Court St.

Ithaca, NY 14850

                                                                                                    607-273-1511

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HIICAP Info

Long Term Care Insurance: 

Don’t Be In the Dark About Long Term Care

A recent AARP study indicates that Americans know less about Long Term Care than they believe they do. The study, “The Costs of Long Term Care: Public Perceptions versus Reality in 2006”, surveyed 1456 people ages 45 and older and found that although many stated they were familiar with long term care services, others didn’t even come close to correctly estimating the monthly cost of nursing home care. They greatly underestimate, or simply do not know, what Long Term Care costs.

Sixty percent of those polled say they were at least “somewhat familiar” and 21% say they were “very familiar” with LTC services currently available. However only 8% were able to estimate the monthly cost of nursing homes within 20% +/- actual costs. Only 9% came within range estimating of the cost for an in-home visit by an aide.

Greater than 50% of respondents also tended to be wrong about who pays for nursing home care or for help with daily activities such as bathing and dressing. More than half incorrectly believed that Medicare pays for extended nursing home care, assisted living costs and in-home care daily care.

Fortunately, in NY State, we have Long Term Insurance Resource Centers for the purpose of educating consumers about Long Term Care and Long Term Care Insurance. In Tompkins County, the Office for the Aging and Lifelong have partnered to provide this service. We regularly offer free public seminars and one-on-one private counseling by appointment.

Do I Need It?

Long Term Care Insurance Resource Centers at Lifelong & the Tompkins County Office For the Aging can provide you with information to help you answer this question.  The Resource Centers provide—free of charge:

            Call Lifelong or the Office for the Aging set up an appointment.

2.         Educational Materials— 

Consumer guides as well as information on local long-term care costs are available here in the main office as well as at the Office for the Aging.  

·        Topics Covered include:

q       What is Long Term Care and What Does It Cost?

q       How is Long Term Care Paid for?

q       How does Long Term Care Insurance Work?  Who Might Need it?

q       How to Find a  Suitable Long Term Care Insurance Policy  

    New Workshop Scheduled:

Thursday, Dec. 6, 8:00 - 9:00 am

Tompkins County Public Library - 101 E Green Street

Continental Breakfast will be served at 7:45 am

 Pre-registration is Required: Call 274-5492 or 273-1511.

Please call Lifelong, 273-1511, or the Tompkins County Office For the Aging, 274-5482, to check the dates/times of the next workshops and register for one, or schedule a counseling session.  Or if you’re in the area, stop by Lifelong or the County Office For the Aging to pick up Long Term Care Insurance information.

(These Long Term Care Insurance Resource Centers and services are provided with funding from New York State.  New York State, Lifelong and the Tompkins County Office for the Aging do not endorse or recommend any specific insurance product or insurer; this program is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.)

 Tompkins County Office for the Aging

Medicare Website