Human Services News

From PR Newswire:

Bankers Life and Casualty Company has joined LifePlans, Inc. and the United States Department of Health and Human Services in implementing a study with senior Americans on fall prevention.

"Over thirty-percent of adults over age 65 fall each year, and falls are a leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries," said Scott Perry, president of Bankers, a health and life insurance company specializing in seniors.

"The majority of falls - which are preventable - occur at home and are a chief contributor to nursing home admissions and long-term care claim costs.

With the retirement of the Baby Boomers, the cost for providing long-term care will be a major expense for American households, insurers, states and the federal government.

The study, commencing in February 2008 and running two-to-four years, will include a sample of the insurer's long-term care policyholders.

LifePlans, which specializes in creating products and services for long- term care clients, spent three years researching and designing a model program with the Department of Health and Human Services, who will provide financial backing for the study.

Bankers Life and Casualty's participation in this project underscores their on-going commitment to better the lives of seniors through insurance products and programs."

"This very important program could significantly impact the quality of life for our customers," said John Wells, Senior Vice President of Long-Term Care for Conseco, Inc., Bankers' parent company.

The nationwide company, a subsidiary of Conseco, Inc., offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and retirement savings products designed especially for seniors.

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