State of Aging and Health in America 2007
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE NOW MORE IMPORTANT
The need for long term care insurance is now more evident than ever based on the The State of Aging and Health in America 2007.
This report was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Merck Company Foundation at the 2007 Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging in
March 2007.
The United States population is rapidly aging. By 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71
million older Americans, comprising roughly 20 percent of the U.S. population. In some states, fully a quarter of the population will be aged 65 and older. An enhanced focus on promoting and preserving the health of
older adults is essential if we are to effectively address the health and economic challenges of an aging society. The cost of providing health care for an older American is three to five times greater than the cost
for someone younger than 65. By 2030, the nation's health care spending is projected to increase by 25% due to demographic shifts unless improving and preserving the health of older adults is more actively addressed.
The National Report Card on Healthy Aging reports on 15 indicators of older adult health, 11 of which are identified by the Healthy
People 2010 initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Those 15 indicators are grouped into four areas: Health Status, Health Behaviors, Preventive Care and Screening, and Injuries. The report
also assigns a "met" or "not met" grade (based on 2003 or 2004 data) to those indicators with specific Healthy People 2010 targets.
Taken together, these indicators present a comprehensive picture of older adult health in the United States.
The United States has met 4 of the 11 Healthy People 2010 targets — six years ahead of schedule . . .
• Mammograms within past two years (75% vs. goal of 70%)
• Colorectal cancer screenings (63% vs. goal of 50%)
• Cholesterol checked within the past fi ve years (90% vs. goal of 80%)
• People currently smoking (9% vs. goal of 12%)
But has more room for improvement on the remaining Healthy People 2010 targets . . .
• Oral Health: Complete tooth loss (21% vs. goal of 20%)
• No leisure time physical activity in past month (32% vs. goal of 20%)
• Obesity (20% vs. goal of 15%)
• Flu vaccine in past year (68% vs. goal of 90%)
• Pneumonia vaccine (65% vs. goal of 90%)
• Hip
fracture hospitalizations per 100,000 persons (558 men/1113 women vs. goal of 474 men/416 women)
• Eating at least five fruits and vegetables daily (The 2010 nutrition target is segmented into multiple goals for
different fruits and vegetables, but the current national percentage of 29.8% is below all of the 2010 nutrition targets.)
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR HOME
The 2007 Aging Report has lots of good news, but it is now more important than ever to prepare for living longer to include looking
at
long term care insurance to see if it is right for you. Rich people may not need long term care insurance, but the majority of us will need it before we die for two reasons. One is so that we will have enough money to pay for our care in a nursing home or other type of long term care facility, and the other is to protect the assets that we own like our homes and property.
If you have to go into a nursing home paid for by Medicaid, your home is subject to being taken by the government after you die (or
after your spouse dies) to reimburse Medicaid for your long term care. Long term care insurance could pay for that stay and your home would be protected and passed along to you children or other descendants.
To see the complete The State of Aging and Health in America 2007, click on the link below.
The State of Aging and Health in America 2007
To speak to a John Hancock Long Term Care Insurance Agent call Matt Graham at 706-743-5429 or 706-540-1843.
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