PIERRE, S.D. – Baby boomers across the state are learning a hard lesson as they help their elderly parents move into assisted living centers and nursing care facilities: long-term care is expensive. As health care costs continue to increase, many South Dakotans are taking a hard look at how to finance their own care in the future.

Long-term care insurance is emerging as a viable option for many families. The Long-Term Care Partnership Program is a public-private partnership that offers individuals quality, affordable long-term care insurance without depleting their assets. The South Dakota Department of Social Services will offer free education sessions on the program in 20 communities this fall, as a way to raise awareness about long-term care insurance and the benefits for South Dakotans.

“Many of the people who attend the sessions tell us they didn’t realize how expensive long-term care can be until they had to help a parent find care,” said Deb Bowman, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Social Services. “The attendees are interested in learning more about long-term care insurance so their children won’t have to worry about paying for their care when the time comes.”

The education sessions also seek to clear up confusion about long-term care options, including what Medicare and Medicaid will cover, and where you can receive care. While many South Dakotans associate long-term care with nursing and assisted living facilities, most long-term care insurance policies include provisions for in-home care.

“It’s important to know your options, especially when it comes to protecting your future and the security of your loved ones,” Bowman said. “The sessions will help give you the tools necessary to make an educated decision about long-term care.”

Sessions will include basic information on long-term care, the costs related to it, how to plan for long-term care needs, what Medicare and Medicaid will cover and how the Long-Term Care Partnership Program can help. The education sessions are free and open to the public. Each session is scheduled for one hour. No registration is required.

• MADISON: September 3, 2009
  Location: Madison Public Library, 209 E Center Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• SIOUX FALLS: September 24, 2009
  Location: Siouxland Public Library, Caille Branch, 4100 Carnegie Circle
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• RAPID CITY: September 28, 2009
  Location: Rapid City Public Library, 610 Quincy Street
  Time: 3 p.m.
• SISSETON: October 6, 2009
  Location: NESDCAP Community Room, 104 Ash Street E
  Time: 2 p.m.
• ABERDEEN: October 7, 2009
  Location: Alexander Mitchell Public Library, 519 S Kline
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• REDFIELD: October 8, 2009
  Location: Leo's Good Food Main Floor Meeting Room, 602 N Main Street
  Time: 1:30 p.m.
• MITCHELL: October 13, 2009
  Location: Mitchell Public Library, 221 N Duff St.
  Time: Noon and 2 p.m.
• PIERRE: October 14, 2009
  Location: Becker Hanson Board Room, 700 E Broadway
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• BROOKINGS :October 15 , 2009
  Location: Brookings Public Library, Cooper Room, 515 3rd Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• VERMILLION: October 20, 2009
  Location: Vermillion Public Library, 18 Church Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• YANKTON: October 22, 2009
  Location: Yankton Public Library, 515 Walnut Street
  Time: 2:30 p.m.
• WINNER: October 27, 2009
  Location: Tripp County Courthouse Community Room, 200 E 3rd Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• MOBRIDGE: October 28, 2009
  Location: Dacotah Bank Community Room, 320 N Main Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• CHAMBERLAIN: October 29, 2009
  Location: SD Hall of Fame Wells Fargo Theater, 1480 S Main Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• RAPID CITY: November 3, 2009
  Location: Rapid City Public Library, 610 Quincy Street
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• HOT SPRINGS: November 4, 2009
  Location: Hot Springs Public Library, 2005 Library Drive
  Time: 2 p.m.
• SPEARFISH: November 5,, 2009
  Location: Hudson Hall Room B, 222 W Hudson
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• SIOUX FALLS: November 10, 2009
  Location: Siouxland Public Library, Caille Branch, 4100 Carnegie Circle
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• CANTON: November 19, 2009
  Location: Canton Public Library, 225 N Broadway
  Time: 2 p.m.
• YANKTON: November 23, 2009
  Location: Yankton Public Library, 515 Walnut Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• PIERRE: December 1, 2009
  Location: Becker Hanson Board Room, 700 E Broadway
  Time: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• PLATTE: December 2, 2009
  Location: Platte Public Library, 304 S Main Street
  Time: 2 p.m.
• WATERTOWN: December 7, 2009
  Location: Watertown Regional Library, 160 6th Street NE
  Time: Noon and 2 p.m.
• HURON: December 11, 2009
  Location: Crossroads Inn Amphitheater, 100 4th Street SW
  Time: Noon and 2 p.m.
• MITCHELL: December 15, 2009
  Location: Mitchell Public Library, 221 N Duff St.
  Time: 2 p.m.

About the Long-Term Care Partnership Program: The Long-Term Care Partnership Program is a public-private partnership that offers individuals quality, affordable long-term care insurance. Once private insurance benefits are used, special Medicaid eligibility rules are applied if additional coverage is necessary. The Department will continue to offer community education sessions, educating and informing citizens on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program and the need to plan ahead and prepare for long-term care. To find out when we will be in a community near you, log onto www.ltcpartnership.sd.gov or call 1-800-597-1603 to learn more.
 

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