The 2007 US Census shows the current population of Rhode Island that hit 1,045,570. Around 130,730 or 13 percent of the population are comprised of elders aged 65 and above. The population of seniors rise incessantly each year; thus, the state government is alarmed of the possible effects on health and welfare. Many private and public communities have come up with several programs that will bolster education for seniors about aging and health. The state government also devised programs for the elderly to help them achieve decent and worry-free retirement years.
Programs for Elderly in Rhode Island
One of the well-known programs that aims to further long term care in the state is the Rhode Island Fall Prevention Partnership. Its name addresses the common problem: fall is the most susceptible season for the occurrence of medical disabilities. This program educates seniors how fall can seriously affect their health and ruin their lives. It is sponsored by the Long Term Care Coordinating Council and has expanded to different foundations, associations and councils whose main objective is the care of the elderly in the state of Rhode Island. The state government also support this program, including the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs and the RI Department if Health.
Another program that is better known yet is the government funded Annual Medicare Enrollment Event. It is an annual event that gathers all agents and seniors to meet at a plaza. This is considered as a group therapy for people rather than the promotion of Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, since many people do not want to get the latter's program either for themselves or for their loved one. Participants in this program are also looking for insurance plans as they mingle and speak with some group of agents and policyholders as well.
The two above-mentioned programs are only part of the many programs plotted by the Rhode Island government for the elderly. Although both programs appear as self-serving, they still enlighten the minds of many Rhode Island residents about the benefits of planning for their future and getting long term care insurance. These programs have attracted so many residents who are decisive in purchasing LTC plans, in fact, the number of residents with LTC plans have increased since these programs were promoted. When more and more residents purchase LTCs, the costs of these plans became suitable to all the residents of Rhode Island regardless of the state where they come from.
Rhode Island Long Term Care Insurance Partnership Program
May 15, 2007 is official approval of the Rhode Island Long Term Care Insurance Partnership Program. This program serves as benchmark of effective long term care plans that aims to prevent residents from squandering half or more than half of their assets to avail Medicaid coverage. Applicants need not be "impoverished" or "poor" to qualify for Medicaid benefits, since the funds allocated for Medicare directly come from the blood and sweat of many American tax payers. This will benefit both existing and potential policyholders from becoming eligible for Medicaid benefits although they have used up all the benefits. Through this, Rhode Islanders will save their lifetime savings and lead a happy and sound retirement years.