BUFFALO, N.Y., March 10, 2010 – Long-term care can be expensive and confusing and many may not know what their options are or where to start when it comes to planning for personal care after retirement and protecting the financial well-being of loved ones. AAA Insurance is offering free, local seminars to educate and answer questions surrounding long-term care planning and insurance.

• Tuesday, March 16, 2010, AAA Amherst Travel and Insurance Center, 100 International Drive, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 18, 2010, AAA Penfield Travel and Insurance Center, 2156 Penfield Road, 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 24, 2010, AAA Orchard Park Travel and Insurance Center, 3475 Amelia Drive, 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 25, 2010, AAA Liverpool Insurance Center, 7485 Henry Clay Boulevard, 6:30 p.m.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 12 million Americans age 65 or older will require some type of long-term care by 2020. Today, over nine million citizens over 65 will require long term care as they age.

“Advanced planning coupled with the right long term care insurance policy offers peace of mind among families and caregivers, the protection of financial assets, and significant monetary savings over time,” said David Weber, Vice President of Insurance for AAA Western and Central New York. “The need for long-term care without insurance can financially ruin the most thought out retirement plan.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the average cost of nursing home care to be about $6,350 a month, with varying costs adding up to approximately $60,000 to $70,000 or more per year nationally. In Upstate New York, the average monthly costs are approximately $8,000 to $9,000, or $100,000 to $120,000 or more per year. Long term-care is not covered under most traditional health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medigap; while qualified Medicaid recipients may only receive limited coverage.

To register for AAA’s free long-term care seminar, please call (866) 874-7AAA (7222), visit www.AAA.com/events, or stop into any local AAA Travel and Insurance Center. Reservations are recommended.

AAA is hosting these free seminars as part of AAA Insurance Days, a month-long initiative aimed at educating consumers about personal lines insurance needs, such as auto, home, life, disability, and long term care policies. For more information about AAA Insurance, please visit www.AAA.com/insurance.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.