As I write this in late November, looking back on another successful Long-Term Care Awareness Month (LTCAM), I am already planning for LTCAM 2012.
I am going to share some easy-to-do things we've done in Houston to observe LTCAM, which you are welcome to emulate.
LTCAM was started in 2008 by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) and is always observed in November. If you are serious about selling LTCi and promoting LTCAM, you must belong to and support this organization. The AALTCI has done more to properly educate the public about LTCi than any other entity. Dues are reasonable. Please visit them at www.aaltci.org.
The sole purpose of LTCAM is to make the public aware of the need for responsible LTC planning. What a simple, yet powerful message!
One of the things I like most about Houston's LTCAM is that it unites financial professionals like us with people in the caregiving industry. Along with the Houston Association of Health Underwriters (HAHU), three professional caregiving organizations in Houston are official LTCAM sponsors. The caregiving contacts I've made and strengthened through LTCAM are very good referral sources for me.
Right now, local LTCAM sponsorship costs nothing. Sponsorship enables an organization to list its name on our mayoral proclamation, to use the AALTCI provided LTCAM logo, and to publicize LTCAM events to its constituents.
We commemorated LTCAM this year with a luncheon that was fully underwritten by Encore Caregivers. Encore Caregivers enthusiastically offered to do this because it enabled them to make new contacts they felt would be good referral sources. About 25 people attended this event. I would be happy to email my brief introductory comments at the luncheon to anyone who is interested.
After the luncheon, ten of us (five from the insurance industry, and five from the caregiving industry) proceeded to Houston City Council, where we were presented with our third Houston LTCAM mayoral proclamation. We were delighted when some City Council members and the mayor surprised us by taking additional time to share their personal experiences that reinforced the importance of LTCAM. We also had a photo taken with the mayor and the council member who assisted us in getting the proclamation.
