Gov. Heineman Announces Arrival of ‘Own Your Future’ Campaign

Estimates show that 60 percent of Nebraskans, ages 65 and older, will have long-term care needs, with many needing care that costs between $20,000 and $100,000 annually.

“This campaign asks each and every one of us to speak with our mothers and fathers, our grandparents and our kids about planning for the services and financial needs of long-term care,” Gov. Heineman said. “None of us wants to place a burden on the people we love, and this campaign presents a means for us to work with our children and discuss the realities of life as we get older. The focus is on maintaining our independence.”

As part of the outreach effort, information on the needs of aging Americans is being mailed this week to 180,000 Nebraska households. The information encourages Nebraskans, ages 45 to 65, to order a free, more detailed Long-Term Care Planning Kit. The kit highlights ways to maintain healthy lifestyles, ensure home accessibility, explore living wills and other advance directives, make financial plans and identify appropriate services.

Nebraskans can obtain the kit by calling toll-free 1-866-PLAN-LTC (1-866-752-6582), returning a postage-paid reply card or by visiting the web site http://www.aoa.gov/ownyourfuture. More Nebraska-specific information about the “Own Your Future” campaign is available by visiting http://www.answers4families.org/ltcplanning.

Dick Nelson, Director of the Nebraska Health and Human Services Department of Finance and Support, said, “Increased planning for long-term care is likely to increase the length of time Nebraskans can stay in their homes and also offers a greater opportunity for increased quality of life.”

Nebraska is one of six states participating in the federal HHS “Own Your Future” campaign, an educational outreach effort designed to promote long-term care planning among Americans. Other states include Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, South Dakota and Texas.