ay Raise Of Needing Long-Term Care (NAPSA)—Ost, which causes thin and weakened bones,is a ma- jor health threat for older people. In fact, 54 million Americans have ost or low bone mass today. Studies show that half of the female population and 25 percent of the male population older than age 50 will suffer a fracture due to this disease in their lifetime, often with- out symptoms until a fracture occurs. Womenare at a higherrisk due, in large part, to the drop in estrogen production after menopause. By age 75, therisk is the same for both men and women. Causes Of The Disease And HowToFightIt Withoutproper prevention and treatment, a personsuffering from ost faces the possibility of a dramatically altered lifestyle. The human body produces anywhere from 85 to 90 percent of its bone mass by the time a person is 18 to 20 years old. At that point, new bone generation is outpaced by boneloss. Hor- monelevels, calcium and mineral retention, exercise and other factorsall play a role in determining the likelihood that ost may becomea reality for you or your loved ones. Assessing Your Risk For Ost If you are 50 years old or older,it may be a goodidea to speak with your health care professional about your chances of getting this disease. Your doctor may want to evaluate your risk factors by asking aboutyourdiet, height and weight,lifestyle, family bone health history and use of certain medications. A fracture is the most common symptom of ost. Should a fracture occur, there’s a significant possibility that physical independence and overall mobility could be limited. In these cases, the need for long-term careis of- ten a suddenreality. Where To Get Help Fortunately, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLT'CIP)offers comprehensive long-term care insurance coverage for care services in a variety of settings and your choice of caregiver. Care may be provided at home by informalcaregivers such as friends, family members and otherprivate caregivers, as well as formalcare by licensed caregivers. Informal caregivers cannot havelived in your homeat the time you becameeligi- Yourrisk for broken bones dueto ost rises with age, but planning ahead for long-term care can help you protect your independence. ble for benefits, but they can live in your homeafter you becomeeligible. In addition, the FLTCIP’s care co- ordination services offer you and your qualified relatives information about long-term care resources, such as nearby care providers and relevant community programs, as well as valuable support to your family as you manage the conditions of ost. Many membersofthefederal family are eligible to apply for FLT'CIP coverage, including federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, ac- tive and retired members of the uniformed services and qualified relatives. Certain medical conditions, or combinationsof conditions, will prevent some people from being approved for coverage. You need to apply to find outif you qualify for coverage under the FLTCIP. To find outif you or a loved oneiseligible to apply, visit www.LTCFEDS.com/ eligibility. For personalized assistance, call (800) LTC-FEDS[(800) 582-3337]/ TTY (800) 843-3557 to speak with a program consultant. More About The FLTCIP Established by an act of Congress in 2000 and overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the FLTCIP is designed to meet the specific needs of the federal family. The FLTCIP provides industry-leading benefits and offers flexible options that allow enrollees to tailor coverage to meettheir needs. ‘The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, issued by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, and administered by Long Term Care Partners, LLC.
