CHARLESTON, S.C. – In recognition of Long-Term Care Awareness Month Franklin & Associates Inc. will offer a complimentary policy review during the month of November. Staff members Barbara Franklin and Kirk Matenaer will assist policyholders and their families in better understanding their policy. They will review any policy issued by any company.
“Just like getting health or car insurance, people don’t often take the time to really understand the policy,” said Franklin, who has been working in the long-term care planning industry for more than 20 years. “Situations and circumstances change and it’s important for policyholders and their families to periodically review those long-term care policies to make sure they are still applicable and don’t require modifications.”
Long-Care Awareness Month is recognized each November as a way to bring attention to the fact that – especially as people live longer – they need to think ahead and prepare for their care as they age. Even though many people think they’ll never need such a policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports 70 percent of people who reach age 65 will require long-term care services.
Baby boomers expect to experience retirement differently than previous generations of retirees. Increasingly, the responsibility for retirement security is falling on the shoulders of retirees themselves. In addition to being financially prepared for retirement, another equally important step is to prepare for the care one may need in retirement.
As Americans live longer – often well into their 80s and 90s – the need for long-term care is great. And it’s even more important for women, who typically outlive their husbands. The majority of nursing home residents and those with Alzheimer’s disease are women.
“People don’t think twice about getting homeowners insurance, car insurance and health insurance, but for whatever reason they don’t like to think about growing older and needing long-term care,” said Matenaer, a certified long-term care specialist. “But if you don’t think about it now and plan while you can, it will be too late once you are faced with a pressing health issue.”
To schedule an appointment for a complimentary policy review, call Franklin & Associates at 843-762-4260. Appointments will be set for regular business hours Monday through Friday through Friday, Nov. 29, 2013.
About Franklin & Associates
Founded in 1995 by Barbara Franklin, Franklin & Associates is a Charleston-based company offering both traditional and innovative approaches to long-term care planning and financing. Company representatives are active in the senior services community as both board members and volunteers, including with the South Carolina Aging in Place Coalition, Lowcountry Senior Network, Alzheimer’s Association and ITNCharlestonTrident (Independent Transportation Network). For more information, call 843-762-4260 or visit www.franklinassociatesinc.com.