(NAPSA)—Withtoday’s technology, staying in touch with loved ones around the country—and the world—is easier thanits ever been. Weare connected to each other virtually day and night— fromcell phonesandvideocallsto social media, texting and e-mail. While we mayrely on this technological closeness throughoutthe year, the holidaysoffer a unique opportunity to sit and spend time with family members, particularly The nexttime youvisit older relatives, take a good look attheir see on regularbasis. This face-to-face lifestyle to determine whether time provides a chanceto connect, catch they need help tostay healthy and up,and observe behaviors that may go independent. older family members, whom we don't undetected over the phone or through e-mail. Certain changes in these behaviors from year to year may indicate a needfor long-term care. While each passing year will show somechangesin an olderfamily member’s capabilities and function, thelist below provides common changes in behaviorto watch forto get a better idea of where your loved ones stand func- tionally. It's important not to focus on the behavioritself, but rather the change in that behavior compared to whatis considered normalfor that person. For example, someone whohas always been quiet and somewhat introverted would be held to a different standard than someone whois usually very outgo- ing and conversational, but now seems or guest for various things increased (e.g., getting a glass of water, answering the phoneor doorbell, etc.)? Financialhealth: Arebills piling up, being paid on time, etc.? Mentalsharpness: Is your loved one participating in conversations, staying up-to-date with the newsorfavorite sports team,etc.? Nutritionalbalance: Maintaining normaleating habits, foodwithin “best by” ranges, cupboards stocked,etc.? How did you answer? Mostly unchanged ‘The best time for you andyourfamily members to consider long-term care insurance is long before it’s needed. withdrawnandisolated. Based on the information you gather, it may be time to start thinking about your family’s written, it's important to apply while Millions of Americans require long- risk that a futureillness or medical condition may prevent you from obtain- plan for long-term care. ‘The timeto plan is now term care at some point during their lifetime. This type of care includes Because the FLTCIP is medically under- yourestill in good health to avoid the ing coverage later. Also, premiums are assistance with everyday activities, like bathing, dressing and eating, or super- directly related to age. This means that premiums tendto be lower for younger applicants. ment, like Alzheimer’s disease. Surpris- If you're already a FLTCIP enrollee vision due to a severe cognitive impair- Recognized changes ingly, the type of care needed to provide assistance with these activities can be andrecognize someofthese behavioral relative often falls on family members optionsthat may beavailable. A call to expensive andis generally not covered bytraditional health plans or Medicare. In many cases, taking care of an older orfriends. However, depending on the location of family membersandfriends, this supportis often notavailable or may be a bigger challenge than many expect orare willing to take on. Takea closer look By paying attention to some com- monbehaviors, you can begin to determine whethera loved oneis having difficulty performing everydayactivities. Noticing changes in behavior that may be due to an emerging physicalor cog- changesin a loved one, contact a FLTCIP care coordinatorat the phone number provided below to gather important information about the different care oneoftheir licensed health care prac- titioners can provide valuable infor- mation such as an assessmentof need, direction on developinga planforlong- term care services, and access to dis- counted services and providers, where available. The FLTCIP, unlike most long-term care insurance plans, pro- videscertain care coordination services to qualified relatives of enrollees at no cost. FLTCIPeligibility step. Many membersofthefederalfamily are eligible to apply for coverage under eral Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) may be worth consider- tants, as well as active andretired mem- nitive impairmentis an importantfirst Basedon what you observe,the Fed- ing when developing your family’s plan for long-term care. Cleanliness of the home: Is there clutter in the hallways, stacked mail, uncleaneddishes,etc.? Social interaction: ‘Are they engaged with friends and family, getting out and about, and continuing social interaction at their normallevel? Personalhygiene and care: Are activities like regular bathing, laundry, grooming, etc., taking place? Level ofindependence: Hasthelevel ofreliance on a spouse the FLTCIP, including federal and US. Postal Service employees and annui- bers of the uniformed services. Quali- fied relatives such as spouses, domestic partners, parents and parents-in-law, and adult children are also eligible to apply. For a completeeligibility list, visit www.LTCFEDS.com/eligibility. To learn more about the FLTCIP, visit www.LTCFEDS.com. For personalized assistance,call 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) / TTY 1-800-843- 3557 to speak with a program consultant. Consultants areavailable to answer any questions you may have and can walk youstep by step throughthe plan design and application process.
