Own Your Future

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All of us want to remain in control of our own lives as we age. Nine out of 10 Ohioans who answered an AARP Ohio poll told us they want to remain living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, even when faced with serious disabilities.

The truth is that 60 percent of us will need long-term care at some point in the future. We don’t like to think about that part of the normal process of growing older, however, and tend to put it off until a crisis forces us to face the issue.

Denial can be a costly mistake for you and your family—both financially and emotionally—even if you need long-term care services just briefly while recovering from an illness or injury. You can avoid problems by creating a plan for your future, a plan to control how and where your needs will be met should you require services.

Own Your Future is a campaign aimed at giving you the information you need to plan early and wisely. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is offering, at no cost or obligation, Own Your Own Future planning kits. You can get a kit online (http://www.longtermcare.gov/campaign) or call 1- 866-752-6582 toll free to request a kit.

Even better, you can pick up a free kit and ask questions about options in your area at the Own Your Future forums being held across the state. Sponsored and coordinated by Ohio's 12 Area Agencies on Aging, these forums will give Ohioans a chance to talk with professionals about long-term care services available in their communities.

You can find details about when and where Own Your Future forums are being conducted on the Ohio Department of Aging Web site (http://www.goldenbuckeye.com) or call 1-866-243-5678 toll free to be connected automatically to the Area Agency on Aging serving your community.

In addition, AARP offers a wealth of information and advice to help make planning easier (http://www.aarp.org/health/longtermcare/). You might want to peruse that information before attending an Own Your Future forum so that you know what questions you want to ask about local options.

Ohioans with an immediate need for long-term care may call their area agency toll-free at 1-866-243-5678 to request a free personal assessment by a professional long-term care planner.

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services—National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
http://www.longtermcare.gov/campaign

Ohio Department of Insurance
http://www.ohioinsurance.gov