WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ — The first of the nation’s 78.2 million baby boomers turned 60 this year and an additional 7,900 reach that same milestone every day. With advances in medicine, most boomers can expect to live into their 80s and 90s, but experts warn that more than 95 percent of them are unprepared for eventual long-term care needs associated with living a long life.

Long-Term Care Awareness Week (November 5-11) is an industry-sponsored campaign that will focus on educating boomers about the reality of long-term care and urge them to take a proactive approach to planning for these needs.

As life expectancies increase, the likelihood of needing long-term care — either at home or in a nursing home – increases…..The Association and several thousand long-term care professionals nationwide are encouraging individuals to start thinking about long-term care now and to get their families involved. A recent survey conducted by Mutual of Omaha, a supporter of Long-Term Care Awareness Week, revealed more than 41 percent of those people who have purchased long-term care insurance said their primary motivator was to not be a burden on their family.

During Long-Term Care Awareness Week, insurance and financial planning representatives across the country will be in full force to educate consumers about some of the following common misconceptions that prevent people from properly planning for long-term care.

Next year: Canada launches first Long Term Care Awareness Week?!!