According to Jesse Slome, executive director of AALTCI, the Partnership programs provide some very unique asset protection benefits designed to encourage more middle income individuals to undertake long term care planning.

New York State was one of the four original states to offer the special Long Term Care Partnership program, Slome explains.  Connecticut, California and Indiana were the other three original states.

“The Partnership program was originally made possible by grants from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation with the specific goal of making affordable long term care insurance protection available and attractive to as many individuals as possible,” Slome adds.

New York residents are eligible for the program that can only be offered by approved insurers and licensed professionals who take part in special training.  The Association will be working closely with designated professionals to help consumers seeking information as well as cost proposals for this important protection.

The web address for the new website is http://www.newyorkpartnershiponly.com/ and provides the latest information on the program.

Established in 1998, the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance is the national organization created to educate consumers about the importance of long term care planning and to support insurance professionals who market these products.

According to the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, the national trade organization, tax deductibility gives individuals and business owners one very important reason to consider ways to address future long term care needs.

“Americans are living well into their 80s, 90s and even longer when the likelihood of needing extremely costly long term care services is almost a guarantee,” declares Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the national trade group charged with creating awareness for long term care related issues.  “The  federal and state governments recognizes this and offers the tax incentives to encourage more people to plan.”

Individuals may be able to deduct long term care insurance premiums paid from their 2011 federal income taxes.  The federal levels are based on your age, Slome notes, ranging from $340 to $4,240 per-person and increase for new policies purchased in 2012.    Individuals face certain limitations that are not imposed on self-employed or corporations.  “These entities may able to make the full cost tax deductible,” Slome adds.

In addition to federal tax deductibility limits, a growing number of states now offer either tax deductions or tax credits to encourage state residents to purchase long-term care insurance.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance has just published a state-by-state listing of available tax deductions on the organization’s website at www.aaltci.org/tax.

To learn more about long-term care planning and get long-term care insurance costs from a designated expert visit the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance’s Consumer Information Center.

According to the researchers the benefits of taking the added vitamin supplements were modest.  “Still it is encouraging and good news for aging Americans who are living longer and want to minimize the risk of dementia or cognitive decline,” declares Jesse Slome, executiove director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, the national trade group charged with creating awareness for long term care related issues.

Today, some 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease according to the 2011 Long Term Care Almanac published by the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.  “Two thirds are women,” explains Jesse Slome, the organization’s director, “and most survive an average of four to eight years after diagnosis, though some live as long as 20 years.”  Alzheimer’s is the leading cause for long term care insurance claims.

By 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association predicts as many as 16 million individuals will be diagnosed with the disease.  They note that of Americans age 65 and over, one in eight has Alzheimer’s and that nearly half of all those who reach age 85 have the disease.

Researchers in Australia asked more than 700 people, aged 60 to 74 years, to take a daily dose of folic acid and vitamin B12 or placebos that resembled the vitamins. The study only included people who showed signs of depression, but were not diagnosed with clinical depression.

The vitamin dose included 400 micrograms of folic acid and 100 micrograms of vitamin B12. Scientists reported that after 12 months, there seemed to be no difference in how well participants scored on mental tests, including memory, attention and speed.

The researchers, however, reported that after two years the participants who were taking the real vitamins showed larger improvements in their scores on the memory tasks.    They noted however that for any given individual, there may or may not be an effect.

The scientists postulated that the reason for the changed results is that the vitamins reduce the body’s levels of a molecule called homocysteine, which is linked to cardiovascular disease and poor cognitive function.

Financial planning experts advise that adults in their 50s and young 60s with a family history of cognitive disorders including Alzheimer’s look into long term care insurance.  “Insurance is only available to those who can medically qualify,” Slome explains, “because the long term care insurance industry already pays out over $6 billion a year in claims, so they look for those who aren’t already diagnosed with some risky condition.”

To learn more about long-term care planning and get long term care insurance costs from a designated expert via the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance’s Consumer Information Center.

According to U.S. researchers middle-aged adults who ate the most red meat were almost one fifth (19%) more likely to be diagnosed with kidney cancer than those who ate the least.   The scientists also noted that the increased intake of chemicals found in barbecued or grilled meats was also linked to increased risk of the disease.

“Cancer is increasingly a critical illness impacting millions of American adults,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  “U.S. guidelines for better health call for limiting high-fat foods including processed meat, and instead eating more lean meat and poultry, seafood and nuts.”

Researchers noted that previous studies examined links between red meat and kidney cancer had arrived at mixed conclusion.  Researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville used data from a study of close to 500,000 U.S. adults age 50 and older, which were surveyed on their dietary habits, including meat consumption.  The researchers followed the study group for an average of nine years to track any new cancer diagnoses.

On average, men in the study ate two or three ounces of red meat per day, compared to one or two ounces among women.

During the study time period some 1,800 of the participants or less than half a percent were diagnosed with kidney cancer.   Those with the highest consumption of red meat were 19 percent more likely to be diagnosed with kidney cancer than those who ate the smallest amount.  The highest consumption was about four ounces per day and the lowest was less than one ounce per day.

People who ate the most well-done grilled and barbecued meat and therefore had the highest exposure to carcinogenic chemicals that come out of the cooking process also had an extra risk of kidney cancer compared to those who didn’t cook much meat that way.

“More Americans are following healthier plans with the desire of living a long life,” Slome explains.  “If you live into your 80s or beyond, the likelihood you will need long term care is vastly increased but you need to start preparing for this in your 50s and early 60s when the most planning options are still available to you.”

For more information on long term care insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center at http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/ .  To read a free online guide about reducing costs for long-term care insurance go to long term care insurance costs.

The yearly award based on 2011 sales is organized by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), the national trade organization.  The 2011 award ranked producers from all states broken down into categories including individual LTC insurance, multilife long term care as well as sales of asset-based annuity and life insurance products offering long term care benefits.

The awards are designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements by those working to educate and help protect Americans.  “From those producers just starting out to the many seasoned specialists, there’s no more passionate and hard-working group of professionals than those selling long term care insurance protection,” explains Jesse Slome, AALTCI’s executive director.

A special “Rookie of the Year” category now recognizes those producers who first started selling in 2011.   A key component of the awards program is the State-by-State ranking.  “This gives 50 agents the opportunity to show that they are number 1 in their particular state,” Slome explains.  “That’s certainly a powerful marketing tool and these leaders are often called on to teach others and share their knowledge.”

Online applications are available at www.aaltci.org/awards.  The closing date for free entries is February 29.

Established in 1998, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance is the national trade organization that supports insurance professionals as well as conducts awareness programs to educate American adults about the importance of long-term care planning.

The scientists reported that 370,000 cases of fractures in the humerus bone of the upper arm occur each year in both the United States.  While younger individuals between the ages of five and nine accounted for the highest overall number of breaks, they found that arm injuries also spiked among women after age 40 and men after age 60.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, reported that 38.7 million Americans were 65 or older in 2008, but that by the year 2030, that number will be 71.5 million. They project a significant increase in hospital emergency room visits with much of the increase likely to be among older Americans.

The highest number of proximal humerus breaks was seen in both men and women after age 45, and rates kept rising until about age 84.  Women were more than twice as likely as men to suffer a proximal humerus break, and saw an uptick in the breaks earlier in life, starting after age 40, which the researchers attributed to lost bone density.

“Conditions like osteoporosis will increases a person’s likelihood of sustaining a bone fracture as a result of even a simple fall,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  “Some can be fixed with a cast but other broken bones especially those that occur at older ages will require long periods of care and at could seriously disable a person for long periods of time.”

Indeed, the researchers found that 88 percent of upper-arm breaks were caused by falls, prompting them to call for more rigorous safety measures to reduce falls and better treatments to prevent osteoporosis.

“Prevention is vital, but so is planning for living a long life,” Slome explains.  “If you live into your 80s or beyond, the likelihood you will need long term care is vastly increased but you need to start preparing for this in your 50s and early 60s when the most planning options are still available to you.”

For more information on long term care insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center at http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/ .  To read a free online guide about reducing costs for long-term care insurance go to long term care insurance costs.

“The special rules that make long-term care insurance fully tax deductible for owners of small and mid-sized businesses, are still a well kept secret,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the Association.  The Guide To Tax-Qualified Long-Term Care Protection explains that in 2012 individuals may each be able to deduct as much as $4,370 of the cost of long-term care insurance premiums.

“Business owners can benefit from the tax deductions with fewer rules,” Slome notes.  “However, individuals should keep in mind that the deductions can become extremely meaningful especially after one retires.”  That is because after retirement, incomes generally drop which results in more individuals qualifying for a deduction for health and medical expenses.  “Long term care insurance premiums are included as a health-related expense, and could therefore be deductible up to the yearly aged-based limit,” Slome adds.

The Association has also published the 2012 edition of the Long-Term Care Insurance Guide For Accountants And CPAs designed to give detailed explanations of how the tax rules handle premiums for individuals, self-employed, Limited Liability Companies and C-Corporations.  “Many tax professionals welcome a single, current source of information and this is an excellent way for insurance professionals to create strategic alliances and generate ongoing prospect referrals,” Slome adds.

Information regarding the guides can be obtained on the Association’s website.  To view copies go to: http:www.aaltci.org/tools or call the organization for information at 818-597-3227.

Founded in 1998, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance is the national trade organization established to educate both consumers and financial professionals.  The organization’s online Consumer Information Center has been nationally recognized as the nation’s most comprehensive resource for current information on the topic.

Click this link to read 2 free consumer guides from the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance

While researchers note that the research doesn’t confirm that exercise directly leads to improved rest, the findings are mostly consistent with previous research, according to Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance which tracks health related issues pertinent to longevity matters.

Inadequate sleep has been linked to depression, cardiovascular disease and other health problems notes Slome.  Increased risk of cardiovascular disease puts aging Americans at greater risk of needing benefits from their long-term care insurance Slome explains.

The researchers noted that hoping that a daily walk or jog will clear up sleep problems might be a bit too optimistic.   More than one-third of U.S. adults have trouble falling asleep at night or staying alert during the day, according to background information in the study.

The new study by researchers at Oregon State University examined data from a U.S. health survey conducted from 2005 to 2006.   The researchers focused on over 2,500 men and women between ages 18 to 85.  They measured their activity levels and answered questions about sleep.

All study participants wore accelerometers, devices that measure physical activity for a one-week period.

The researchers adjusted their statistics so they wouldn’t be thrown off by unusually high or low numbers of people of certain ages, weight, health condition, smoking history or other factors. Participants met or exceeded national exercise guidelines by getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise or a combination of both.

Those who met the guidelines were 65 percent less likely to report often feeling sleepy during the day compared to those who got less exercise. They were also 68 percent less likely to report sometimes having leg cramps and 45 percent less likely to report having trouble concentrating while tired.

For more information on long term care insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center at http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/ .  To read a free online guide about reducing costs for long-term care insurance go to long term care insurance costs.

According to research findings, eating non-fried fish that includes baked and broiled fish helps to preserve gray matter neurons.  The scientists note that this strengthens the areas of the brain deemed critical to cognition and memory.

“Scientists report that people with larger brain volume the risk for Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment went down with eating fish as little as one to four times a week. “We’re talking about just a half serving a day,” notes Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.   ”We would encourage millions of aging Americans to make a very small lifestyle change that can affect their risk of this terrible disease.”

The number of U.S. adults aged 65 years and older is projected to nearly double over the next two decades, Slome, head of the national long term care insurance trade organization explains.  “As a result, the incidence of cognitive issues especially Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is also expected to rise as will the need for costly long term care,” he adds.  Alzheimer’s disease is the number one reason individuals with long term care insurance file claims.

More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease the age-related disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment have less severe memory loss than those with Alzheimer’s but often go on to develop the disease.

The scientists found that those who ate baked or broiled fish had larger mass in the hippocampus, and orbital frontal cortex regions of their brains.  This was regardless of age, gender, physical activity routines, and/or educational achievement, race or weight.  No benefit was evident with respect to consumption of fried fish.

Financial experts advise adults in their mid-50s to learn more about long-term care planning and get long-term care insurance costs from a designated expert.  Two free guides from the LTC association can be read online via the Association’s Consumer Information Center at http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/free-quote/.  Slome explains that the best ages to look into this protection is prior to age 65 when health issues including early diagnosis of cognitive issues can make it harder or more costly to medically qualify for coverage.

According to researchers reporting in the Journal of the American Medical Association reducing salt is still very important in people consuming more than 6,000 or 7,000 milligrams of sodium per day.  It is estimated that the average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day.

The lead scientists who conducted studies report that people who already consume moderate or average amounts of salt may not need to reduce their intake further.
“Apparently, after years of agreement among medical experts that people should lower their salt intake, there is new debate,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  The national trade organization tracks health issues which can impact American’s need for costly long term care.

A recent research study found that while cutting back on salt did lower blood pressure, it may also increase levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other risk factors for heart disease.   Heart disease is a major risk factor facing adults Slome notes.

The latest study looked at levels of sodium and potassium excreted in urine in a group of about 30,000 men and women with heart disease or at high risk for heart disease. Participants were followed for an average of more than four years.

The researchers found that people who excreted higher levels of sodium than those with mid-range values had a greater risk of dying from heart disease, heart attack, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure.  When the researchers assessed potassium levels, they found that a higher level of excretion of the nutrient was associated with a lower risk of stroke.

New U.S. dietary guidelines now recommend that people aged 2 years and older limit daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg).  People aged 51 and older, blacks and anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should consider going down to 1,500 mg per day, many experts say.

Financial planning experts note that most people wait too long to consider their options because the right time to plan is prior to turning age 65 before medical conditions like cancer, high blood pressure are diagnosed or become problematic.  “The sweet spot for <a href=”http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/”>long term care insurance<a> is between ages 52 and 64,” Slome adds.

For more information on long term care insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information center.