MILWAUKEE – Long term care is one of those issues that we tend to think we can take care of later. It also is an issue about which some say “if you haven’t started planning for it already, it may be too late.”
Paul Haussman is the Director of the Center for Investor Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education. He says this is among the most important issues in our lives. “So many people are facing decisions about care for parents or are beginning the process of planning for their own care,” he says. “Some 77 million baby boomers are approaching their ‘golden years.’ Careful planning and wise financial decisions made now can help to assure competent care in comfortable surroundings later.”
He says that one of the biggest challenges these millions of people face is finding reliable information. “It’s a complex process,” Haussman says. “Long term care is an enormous issue that demands careful planning based on trusted sources of information and advice.”
Haussman says there is a large number of people who don’t know where to begin or who to trust or what kind of plan works best. “Surveys indicate that financial planning is the most confusing issue for many older Americans. This slows down the important decision making process,” Haussman notes, “Meanwhile time is passing and we all are getting older and the time to face the consequences of these decisions, or the lack of decisions, is getting closer.”
To address this dilemma, Haussman and others have organized the first UWM Long Term Care Expo, Saturday, March 5, 9am-2pm. LTC Expo 2005 features workshops, “information stations,” and an area offering valuable information materials from a large variety of relevant companies and professionals. The stations also provide an opportunity to talk one-on-one with experts from the legal, financial and other fields.
Workshop topics include: LTC- An Overview, Medicaid and Other Government Programs, Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts, LTC Insurance and Financial Planning, Adult Day Care, Pre-planning a Funeral, Geriatric Care Management, LTC Community Resources, Home Care, Nursing Home and Assisted Living
The LTC Expo 2005 is co-sponsored by Central Financial Services, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Lakeshore Medical clinic. The $10 fee includes a continental breakfast and a box lunch.
The event is at the UWM School of Continuing Education, 161 W. Wisconsin, Ave., Seventh Floor, in Downtown Milwaukee. Convenient parking is available at the attached Grand Avenue parking structure.
To learn more about LTC Expo 2005 visit www.sce-LTCExpo.uwm.edu, or contact Paul Haussman at 414-227-3116, or haussman@uwm.edu.
To register for the March 5 program in advance, call 414-227-3200 or 800-222-3623 and refer to Program Number 7410-LTCE.
