Brethren cooperate in Peace Church Longterm Care Insurance.

A new Peace Church Longterm Care Insurance program is now available through the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, an organization of Church of the Brethren retirement centers, and the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC). The new program addresses the problem of “uncompensated care” that is faced by the Brethren retirement facilities. For the last several years, more than $14 million annually has been spent by 18 of the 22 centers to care for older adults who no longer have the financial resources to pay for their own care.

“As our population and denomination continue to age, (the fastest-growing segment of the US population is the 80 and older group), the financial strain on our retirement facilities increases,” reported Don Fecher, director of the fellowship. It is unlikely that governmental funding for longterm care will increase, or that a legislative solution is even possible, Fecher said. “It is also unlikely that a Church of the Brethren facility will turn away a resident in need,” he added.

Through its ecumenical partnerships with the other historic peace churches--Mennonites and Friends--the fellowship is making it possible for anyone connected with the Church of the Brethren to take advantage of the Peace Church Longterm Care Insurance program. Anyone connected to the Church of the Brethren may participate along with their spouse, children ages 18 and older, parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, aunts, and uncles.

The program will pay benefits for longterm care services in a person’s home, assisted living facility, adult day care facility, or nursing home, and is available for Alzheimer’s/dementia coverage. The program is guaranteed renewable and offers tax quantified plans.

Currently, costs for assisted living facilities range from $900 to $3,000 per month depending on amenities provided and services required, according to ABC. Also, about 90 percent of the nation’s assisted living services are paid for with private funds, states the National Center for Assisted Living. The Health Insurance Association of America reports that the national average for a year in a nursing home is estimated to cost more than $46,000, and in some areas can easily cost twice that amount.

“The costs of longterm care may present the greatest threat to financial security during a person’s retirement years,” Fecher said. “Longterm care insurance is also appropriate for the working age person to protect against illnesses, disabilities, or injuries from automobile or sporting accidents. HMOs and traditional health insurance policies generally do not pay for long-term care services.”

To find out more about the program or to request cost estimates contact the administering organization, Senior Ministries Insurance Alliance of Harrisburg, Pa., at 800-382-1352.

Source: 8/16/2006 Newsline
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