State offering tips to seniors on planning long-term care

Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 | 9:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- People are living longer, and an estimated 60 percent of senior citizens will need some type of long-term care.

And nursing homes are not the only care alternative, says Gov. Kenny Guinn, who kicked off a program to inform the elderly of other options.

Benefits from Medicare and Medicaid are "very limited," Guinn told a press conference-senior citizen gathering Thursday, and the programs offer little variety, he said.

Carol Sala, administrator of the state Division of Aging Services, said a $183,000 federal grant will permit letters to go out to every household where there are residents 50-70 years old. The letters will describe how to obtain a free 28-page booklet and an audio cassette tool kit with planning hints and available Nevada resources.

The kits include information how to plan for financial, housing and health care needs as people age.

Guinn noted options as assisted living, residing with family members or community living.

"This is to focus on the crisis before it bears down on you," Guinn said. "You can't assume you are never going to need help."

There will also be a media campaign to prompt seniors to get more information how they might retain their independence as they grow older.

Nevada is one of five states selected by the federal government to participate in the pilot campaign. The others are Arkansas, Idaho, New Jersey and Virginia.

Sala said Nevada has not only the fastest-growing population but also the fastest-growing senior population.

She said there is a misunderstanding about Medicare coverage of long-term care services that are expensive and can deplete a person's finances, and the grant will allow her agency to hire additional people to answer questions over the telephone about the options. The grant runs through April, she said.

Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Human Services, also said a $900,000 federal grant has been received for two years to help senior citizens understand the new drug program under Medicare.