Angela Bassett, Rob Lowe, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Maria Shriver are just a few celebrities that are part of a new campaign to raise awareness about long-term care planning.
And for Bassett, it’s personal.
She may still look as sensational as she did playing the lead in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” but the actress has faced her own aging and caregiving issues.
When Bassett’s mother began to have health complications, they discussed her long-term care desires. As her mother’s health deteriorated, though, the discussions became harder and her mother avoided making some hard choices. Bassett was happy that she could give her mother the care she wanted in an assisted living facility, but admits that more planning may have made things easier. Her mother passed away in June at the age of 78.
“It highlighted, for me, the importance of this issue. Of having a conversation and of about long-term care planning,” said Bassett, who this year directed the film “Whitney,” which is about the late Whitney Houston.
Bassett is urging all people to discuss long-term care planning as part of Genworth’s “Let’s Talk Now” campaign.
Genworth hopes some star-studded endorsements will get people discussing long-term care needs, which go beyond simply having health care. In fact, the cost of care, whether in home or at a living facility, can be as high as $87,000 per year or more.
Long-term care insurance is growing in popularity—and it’s something that more than 90 percent of American adults do not have. It’s not the only tool for long-term care planning, hence the campaign.
The conversation isn’t always easy to bring up, but it can put everyone on the same page and ensure an individual’s wishes are carried out. For instance, some people may want to be cared for in facilities while others want in-home care. Not everyone may need care, either, but it’s good to have some sort of plan in place. That begins with a talk.
And it’s important to speak with older relatives about their plans, instead of dictating what works best for you, she added.
With 59 percent of Americans uncomfortable speaking with their families about long-term care, Bassett hopes the video will start a dialog. Being aware of the need for long-term care plans is essential, she added.
“We are excited to collaborate with such a talented and well-respected group of celebrities to remind families across the country that it’s never too early to talk about long-term care planning,” said Tom McInerney, Genworth’s President and CEO. “Through this video, we hope that the compelling words from Angela, Jim, Maggie, Maria, Rob and Zachary will encourage Americans to take the initiative to have ‘the talk’ and put a long term care plan in place.”
Kristen Fischer is the author of “Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life.” Connect with her on Twitter.
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