Several state agencies have joined forces to organize 18 seminars around the state to discuss health care options and financial protections for older Iowans. Susan Voss, Commissioner of the Iowa Insurance Division, says her agency and the Iowa Department on Aging will be joined at the seminars by officials from the Iowa Attorney General’s office and non-profit organizations that deal with medical assistance and home health care issues.
Individuals attending the seminars can submit personal questions for review by staff. “It’s really a day of education and assistance for all Iowans around the state,” Voss said. In addition to health care issues, state official will address financial fraud protections for older Iowans. Voss helped organize the “Live Well Plan Well” seminars after struggling to find an assisted living arrangement for her own mother.
“I realized that it’s an area we don’t like to talk about, but we have over a-half-million Iowans over the age of 60,” Voss said. “And if you’re in the ‘sandwich generation’ like I am, you’re dealing with parents and also your children…it’s something we don’t think about and we don’t plan for, but we’re all going to be faced with it.” Voss says parents need to talk with their children about their wishes for the time when they’re no longer able to live on their own.
“We don’t like to talk about our financial situation with our children and it’s a hard topic,” Voss said. “But, I think it doesn’t hurt to at least talk about…what you want to do when you can no longer live in your home, your plans for the future or have you thought about assisted living?” The 18 seminars are free and are not being financed with taxpayer money.
“We’re not selling anything and we’re not pushing anything,” Voss said. “We’re just here to educate Iowans about planning well for their future.” The first seminar and launch event is scheduled for this Thursday (June 17) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prairie Meadows Events Center in Altoona. Former Iowa Wrestling Coach Dan Gable will provide the keynote address. Learn more about the dates and locations of the other seminars online at www.LiveWellPlanWell.org.