Long Term Care Questions

1. where do I begin when the time comes to put a parent in a...

   First, discuss with your parent that it is time. Be very honest and warm. Give the reasons and make it clear that you will not abandon her.Draw your mother or father into the search. It may be difficult if you need to get her into a wheelchair or walker; however, the extra effort will pay off in the likelihood of her accepting the new home...
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2. Can my mother be required to apply for Medicaid?

   The nursing facility is probably concerned that your mother will soon be unable to fully pay her bill and that, without Medicaid coverage, the nursing facility will be stuck without full payment. The nursing home may not be aware of all your mother's assets and insurance coverage, or they might not...
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3. My father died recently. Should we try to settle his credit card debt for a lower amount prior to selling his house?

   You are correct that Texas is a community property state. This means, basically, that property acquired during the course of a marriage is owned equally by both spouses. Assuming the house was community property, half the house was owned by your father.
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4. Can my 83 year-old mother receive any help to pay for in home care?

   As the surviving spouse of a veteran, your mother may be eligible for a widow's pension. This benefit provides up to $1,094/month to help pay for long term care, including home care. To qualify for the maximum, your mother's home care expenses plus any health insurance premiums, e.g. Medicare supplement policy, need to exceed her income...
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5. How can I cash out of a life insurance policy to pay for medical or long-term care?

   A life insurance policy is intended to provide money to a survivor or survivors of the deceased policyholder. But for many people with a life insurance policy, it can instead be turned into a source of cash to help pay the insured person's own expenses...
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

6. What are restrictions on immigrating parents to the US for long term care?

   There are many great care systems throughout the world, but it is very understandable that your parents may wish to live near you in their later years. The process to file and process a Petition for Alien Relative can be rather lengthy and sometimes frustrating...
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7. What are annuities and do they make sense for someone over 80?

   Annuities are complicated financial products. No one, young or old, should purchase them without a thorough understanding of all of the fine print.
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8. Who are the best long term care providers and reverse mortgage companies?

   The best long term care insurance company for you is the one whose policy meets your needs. There are many highly rated carriers that offer long term care insurance, e.g. Genworth, John Hancock, Met Life, to name a few. While the financial strength of the company is important, the features and services offered are equally important...
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9. Is it time to move my grandmother into a long term care facility?

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10. Should I purchase long-term care insurance for my mother?

    Medicare and CHAMPVA are wonderful programs that assist with health care costs, but neither are designed to provide meaningful benefits for long-term care services.
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11. Do some long-term care insurance policies protect assets when you're applying for Medicaid?

    Yes, there are special "state partnership" long-term care insurance policies in a few states that allow someone to qualify for Medicaid coverage of long-term care while keeping much more in assets than Medicaid rules would normally permit. Those states are California (Medicaid is called Medi-Cal in California...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

12. Does Putting Assets in a Trust Remove Them From Consideration by Medicaid in Terms of Eligibility for Long-Term Care Coverage?

    Some people try to qualify for Medicaid long-term care coverage by creating a trust and placing their assets in it. This tactic can only work, however, if the trust totally and permanently ends the person's access to and direct benefits from those assets.
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

13. Does Medicaid Cover Long-Term In-Home Care?

    All states provide some kind of long-term care for certain people, including the elderly, who live at home and who would require nursing home care if they didn't receive these services. These programs aren't technically part of Medicaid but are funded by Medicaid through waivers of normal Medicaid rules...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

14. How do we decide between a reverse mortgage for my father or a personal loan from me?

    Loans between family members are always fraught with potential complications, and your case is no exception. There are a number of issues to consider, but they all boil down to one big issue: What would be the impact of this type of loan on you and your family?
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

15. What are some fun activities for older adults confined to hospitals?

    First look at the calendar for the convalescent hospital. How much time do you have to work with the seniors, and how long are the seniors in this setting? Is this "home" or short term rehabilitation? Once you've answered these questions, here are some suggestions:
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16. What is the age limit for long term care insurance?

    Generally, insurance companies do not sell long-term care insurance policies to people over the age of 84. Even if you were able to find a company that would sell you long-term care insurance at that age, the premium would probably be prohibitive.
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17. What kind of financial help for caregivers is available?

    Unfortunately, there are no government programs that pay family members directly for caring for their elderly relatives. But it is legal for your grandmother to pay you a reasonable amount from her own funds, even if some or all of those funds come entirely from government benefit programs...
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18. Where can I find a support group for caregivers of people with non-Alzheimer's dementia?

    As you've discovered the majority of dementia support groups target the caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease. The good news is that more and more groups of other types are being created (such as for people with early-onset dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, etc.).
    1 Expert Answer, 7 Community Answers

19. Will I have to leave this home if my mom needs long term care and moves out?

    Fortunately, if your mother requires long-term care in a nursing home through Medicaid, the law does provide for your mother to be able to transfer the home to you without affecting her Medicaid eligibility if you qualify, as it appears you do for the caretaker child exception...
    1 Expert Answer

20. Should I get legally separated from my estranged husband to protect my home if he requires long-term care?

    Your concerns are entirely legitimate. If your estranged husband were to require long term care in a nursing home, Medicaid would consider the assets of both of you in determining his eligibility. Because Medicaid is a joint state and federal program there are some variations from state to state...
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