The basic motivators will drive people to want to learn more about this topic—fear, money, and insecurity. Consumers fear losing their life savings to LTC costs. Yet, they hesitate to buy insurance with an annual premium of $1,800 without knowing what it covers. In October of 2002 (one month after this book's release), the federal government will be rolling out a payroll deduction plan whereby all government employees and retirees (approximately 18 million people) will have the same opportunity to save for their long-term care needs as they currently have for their 401(k).

Offers advice and recommendations from AARP experts and other specialists on planning for the financial, medical, legal, and personal aspects of long-term elder care.

Expert advice on planning for your own or a relative's future care needs As we live longer and healthier lives, planning for the long term has never been more important. Planning gives you more control, but it's not easy to find accurate information and answers to your questions. That's where AARP's Planning For Long-Term Care For Dummies comes in. This comprehensive guide gives you questions to ask yourself and others about how best to achieve your goals, whether you have immediate needs or can take some time to sort out the possibilities. The book Covers home modifications so that you can stay at home safely for as long as you like Lays out the opportunities and costs associated with independent living, assisted living, and other options Gives you a range of driving and transportation alternatives Sorts out the various sources of care at home Helps you navigate the healthcare system Reviews the legal documents you should prepare and update Helps you determine whether you need long-term care insurance Offers checklists and other resources to help you make decisions Gives you guidance on how to talk to your family about sensitive issues If you're looking for trusted information on how to prepare for the future care needs for yourself or a relative, this sensitive, realistic, and authoritative guide will start you on the right road.

Managed health care is one of the most confusing areas any consumer can deal with. Rules and regulations are constantly changing, providers are always merging and changing their offerings, and paperwork abounds. In easy-to-understand language, this book explains how to understand options, how to get treatment for chronic and long-term illnesses, how to get the most care for the least cost, and more.

The healthy vegan diet-made easy. Vegans face their own special challenges when it comes to nutrition and this book provides answers. There are about one million vegans in the U.S. and about 50,000 new ones every year. A growing number of physicians advocate a completely plant-based diet for many of their patients who suffer from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Plant-Based Nutrition, readers will find: ? Where to get nutrients that others get from meat and dairy. ? How to avoid the vegan pitfall of overfed but undernourished. ? How to spot hidden animal ingredients in packaged foods. ? Tips for eating at restaurants. ? Special considerations for children and seniors.

A guide so thorough it will send you packing... Backpacking remains one of the most popular, and inexpensive, outdoor activities in America. The Complete Idiot's Guide (r) to Backpacking and Hiking helps anyone prepare and plan for a rewarding adventure. Covers planning, training, shopping and packing for the trip. -How to live on the trail -First aid and other safety tips -Practical time- and money-saving hints -What gear is necessary and what isn't -Special considerations when travelling with groups or pets

Soothe your digestive system with 200+ meal plans and recipes The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Eating Well with IBS will introduce readers suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to the information they need to identify the foods that trigger symptoms and prepare recipes meal plans that alleviate those symptoms. • Features more than 200 recipes and meal plans • Kate Scarlata is a licensed dietician with 20 years of experience helping IBS patients with their condition, and an IBS sufferer herself • Thirty-five million Americans are estimated to suffer from IBS, the second leading cause of worker absenteeism