Did You Know?

• About one in five sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths occur while an infant is in the care of someone other than a parent. Many of these deaths occur when babies who are used to sleeping on their backs at home are then placed to sleep on their tummies by another caregiver. We call this “unaccustomed tummy sleeping”.
• Unaccustomed tummy sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. Babies who are used to sleeping on their backs and are placed to sleep on their tummies are 18 times more likely to die from SIDS.

You can reduce your baby’s risk of dying of SIDS by talking to those who care for your baby, including child care providers, babysitters, family, and friends, about placing your baby to sleep on his back at night and during naps.

Who is at Risk for SIDS?:

Sleeping

• Sleep baby on back from birth, not tummy or side.
• Sleep baby with face and head uncovered and free from bedding, pillows and toys.
• Avoid exposing baby to tobacco smoke before birth and after.
• Provide a safe sleeping environment with safe furniture and bedding – no quilts, doonas, duvets, pillows in cot etc.
• Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parents’ bed for the first six to twelve months of life.
• Although it’s a special moment cuddling your child, babies and children are still at risk when they’re asleep on their tummy whilst resting on an adults chest, especially if the adult falls asleep in an unsafe sleeping environment (eg couch, sofa).

Other Environments

Prams, Bouncers & Cars

• Always do up the restraints when baby is in a pram, stroller, bouncer or any other baby/toddler equipment. It can be dangerous if baby becomes tangled in loose restraints.

What Is Long-Term Care?

Someone with a long physical illness, a disability, or a cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s disease) often needs long-term care. Many different services help people with chronic conditions overcome limitations that keep them from being independent. Long-term care is different from traditional medical care. Long-term care helps one live as he or she is now; it may not help to improve or correct medical problems. Long-term care services may include help with activities of daily living, home health care, respite care, adult day care, care in a nursing home, and care in an assisted living facility. Long-term care may also include care management services, which will evaluate your needs and coordinate and monitor the delivery of long-term care services.

How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost?

Introduction

If you are planning to purchase a life insurance policy or an annuity contract, you should first consider your needs and understand the different type of insurance products that are available. Many more consumers are using life and annuity products as part of their financial planning goals. Consumers spend substantial sums of money each year on life insurance policies or annuity contracts knowing very little about what it is that they are getting. This guide was developed to help consumers make educated decisions and to help them understand both the benefits and the risks involved in financial planning.

Health Insurance

Rising health care costs have made it very expensive to be injured or sick. If you do not have a good health care plan to help manage your health care expenses, a serious illness or injury can create major financial burdens.

Health insurance protects us against financial loss stemming from an accident or illness. This guide describes the various types of policies or plans available in the marketplace, offers tips on choosing the best policy or plan for you, provides definitions of common health insurance terms, and suggests what you should do if you have a problem with your health policy or plan.

This guide is not a replacement for the detailed information found in your policy, certificate, Evidence of Coverage (EOC), or benefits booklet. Be sure you have a copy of your plan and that you take the time to familiarize yourself with your benefits before you have a claim.

Introduction

If you are going to make a good choice when purchasing life insurance, you need to understand what type of policies are available. If one type of policy does not fit your needs, then ask and find out about other available policies, many of which are described in this brochure. You can research more information on life insurance policies by checking with a licensed life insurance agent or a licensed life insurance company. You can also consult life insurance books that are available in your public library, as well as life insurance information available on the Internet. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has a toll-free Hotline and Web site that can provide further information and assistance on life insurance. Please see the many ways to contact the CDI on the last page of this brochure.

Defining Your Needs