(ATLANTA, Feb. 13) – The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Area Agency on Aging is hosting “Own Your Future,” a town hall meeting to engage human resource managers, aging professionals and consumers in the issue of retirement planning and long-term care.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), Division of Aging Services; Atlanta Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging, Georgia Power and the offices of Senator Johnny Isakson and Representative John Lewis will address the steps for a successful retirement, how to plan for long-term care, the role of companies in helping employees prepare for retirement and what Congress is doing to address the issues of a graying America.

The meeting will take place Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Loudermilk Center for the Regional Community, 40 Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303. The public is invited, but space is limited. Persons who want to attend should call 404.463.3221.

Planning for long-term care, along with saving for retirement, is essential for persons who want to safeguard their assets and have a successful retirement. DHR’s Division of Aging Services estimates that 60 percent of people over 65 will need some kind of long-term care in their lives, and 40 percent of seniors will need nursing home care.

“Most people are unaware that Medicare does not pay for long-term care,” said Cathie Berger, chief of ARC’s Aging Services Division. Putting a plan in place a plan to fund long-term care should it become necessary is the best way to ensure that individuals can choose the type of care they want.”

With people living longer, a nest egg – even home equity — can be quickly eaten up if an individual becomes disabled or needs ongoing care. Most people say they want to remain at home, but paying someone to provide care in the home is costly, can average in metro Atlanta $40,000 to $44,000 per year for 50 hours per week of care, according to one survey of long-term care costs. The same survey pegs the average annual cost for nursing home care in the metro area at nearly $60,000.

The town hall meeting has been planned in conjunction with the roll-out of “Own Your Future” in Georgia. An initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in cooperation with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Administration on Aging, the campaign seeks to heighten awareness about the need for long-term care planning among young and mid-life individuals. Of 16 applications, Georgia is one of five states selected to take part in the campaign. (The other states are Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas.)

In addition to town hall meetings in Atlanta, Albany and LaGrange, the Georgia campaign will consist of mailings to Georgians ages 45-65 inviting recipients to order a free “Own Your Future” long-term care planning kit, a website that offers lifelong planning resources and training for professionals in Georgia’s Aging Network.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 62 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues. ARC is the Area Agency on Aging for the 10-county region.

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