Workers Reveal Biggest Retirement Concerns In LifeCare^® Poll

WESTPORT, Conn., July 20, 2006 – Asked to predict their single biggest concern once they've retired, workers cite money and health as their top contenders while relatively few say they'll worry about being alone, according to the latest online poll from LifeCare^®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty health services provider and a longtime pioneer in the work/life industry. The poll was conducted throughout the month of June on LifeCare's private web site, which is open to employees and members of LifeCare's 1,500 client companies nationwide.

Specifically, the poll results were as follows:

When you retire, what do you think your single biggest concern will be?

		Finances — 59%
		Health — 17%
		Staying independent and physically active — 14%
		How I will spend my time — 6%
		Being alone — 2%
		Where I will live — 1%
		Other— 1%

“It's no surprise that money tops the list of retirement concerns,” said LifeCare CEO, Peter G. Burki. “But it is interesting to note that the next three responses—health, independence and how to spend one's time—are all related to the notion of 'vitality,' and they account for almost 40% of the responses. For the past several years, more and more of the people we assist at LifeCare are concerned with maintaining their overall vitality, independence and productivity as they age. They want guidance on how to stay physically and mentally fit, and they want to make sure that they can remain in their homes and independent as long as possible.”

Burki points out that aging and retirement concerns are hot button issues for one simple reason: nearly half of the nation's workforce is now age 40 or older. “That means literally millions of people in their 30s, 40s and 50s are interested in managing mid-life issues more effectively,” said Burki. “In fact, many of them looking to their employers for guidance on these matters, which creates a huge opportunity to build stronger relationships along with greater satisfaction and retention levels.”

Successful Aging^SM & Professional Coaching

To help employers and other organizations accomplish this, LifeCare now offers an entire suite of Successful Aging^SM Services, designed to help individuals resolve the full spectrum of mid-life and aging issues, including finances, health and maintaining independence. The Successful Aging suite addresses:

		adult caregiving needs—day-to-day needs, complex long-term situations, in-home and post-hospital assessments, ongoing care coordination, etc.;
		cognitive health issues—mental function, emotional wellbeing, preventive measures, etc.;
		legal matters—wills, estates, document preparation, etc.;
		pre- and post-retirement planning needs—personalized financial planning, ongoing work opportunities, volunteerism, staying healthy and productive, etc.; and
		financial issues—credit and debt, investing, personal finances, etc.

LifeCare's Successful Aging Services give individuals 24/7 access to a professionally staffed call center, a content-rich web site and a host of interactive tools and resources, all of which have been created specifically to address the specialized needs of people as they age. One of the most important aspects of the Successful Aging suite is that offers the personalized assistance of professional coaches. Coaches help individuals conduct thorough assessments of their financial and physical wellness—including their level of independence, their legal needs and more. Once the assessments are completed, LifeCare's coaches work with individuals to create customized action plans to help them achieve their unique goals.

“With our coaching practice, we're basically giving people a level of professional support that will help them go far beyond what they might accomplish on their own,” Burki said. “In addition, we're giving them total support to make sure that they address all aspects of mid-life—not just the financial issues. We want them to live balanced, healthy lives and remain independent for as long as possible. No other service is as comprehensive as our Successful Aging suite.”

Successful Aging also gives individuals access to a Professional Care Management (PCM) Program, which helps resolve complex caregiving situations. The Program arranges for geriatric care managers—professional nurses and social workers who are trained in assessment, care planning, and care management of older adults—to conduct in-person assessments and services for caregivers and their loved ones.

“Our Successful Aging Services help to ensure that people remain active and independent while getting the most out of mid-life,” said Burki. “With the rapid aging of the workforce, and the nation's population in general, these types of services are going to be in heavy demand for a long time to come.”

Notes to Editors

Peter G. Burki is available for interview.

About LifeCare^®, Inc.
LifeCare provides clients with comprehensive specialty health services and customized care plans for all aspects of their personal and professional lives, including child care and parenting, elder care and healthy aging, education and personal growth, financial and legal matters, and far beyond. LifeCare serves 1,500 client companies with 4.5 million individuals within corporations, health plans, government agencies and unions. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.

Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170