Governor Kaine Announces "Own Your Future" Campaign

Press Release

- Encourages long-term care planning -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the "Own Your Future" program, a statewide, multimedia campaign to encourage Virginians to plan ahead for their long-term care needs. Nearly 200,000 citizens between the ages of 50 and 52 will receive a letter and informational DVD from Governor Kaine to increase awareness of long-term care planning options.

"Most of us have strong opinions about what we want for ourselves as we age, but many of us have not taken the steps to address these needs," Governor Kaine said. "Planning for your future allows you to make these important life decisions yourself, instead of leaving them to others or waiting for a crisis that could limit your options."

A national study found that almost 70% of people turning 65 will need some long-term care for one year or longer. Long-term care refers to a broad range of supportive medical, personal and social services needed by people who are unable to meet their basic care needs for an extended period of time.

The "Own Your Future" campaign is a collaborative effort among state and federal agencies, which include the Virginia Department for the Aging, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Social Services, and the Virginia Bureau of Insurance as well as federal agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging.

Virginians can request a free "Own Your Future" DVD that focuses on long-term care planning. It includes information about Medicare and Medicaid as well as tips on aging well. Also available is the Long-term Care Planning Kit, which highlights specific Virginia services and other valuable resources to help in planning for the future.

The DVD introduces the Virginia Long-term Care Partnership, an alliance between the private insurance industry, the federal government and the Commonwealth to help Virginians afford long-term care assistance without exhausting their assets. For every dollar that a Long-term Care Partnership policy pays out in benefits, an equal amount is protected if the individual eventually applies for Medicaid.

To order the DVD and Long-term Care Planning Kit, or to learn more about "Own Your Future," please visit www.longtermcare.gov or call 1-866-752-6582. For more information about Virginia's Long-term Care Partnership visit www.valtcpartnership.org or contact the Virginia Department for the Aging at 1-800-552-3402 for a referral to the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program.

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