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    <title>Recent Posts in 'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' | Caring.com</title>
    <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by NONONO123 @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;I AM PROVIDER AND GUARDIAN  SHE HAS INCOME OF ONLY $2000 PER MONTH AND OWES $47,000 ON HER HOME WHICH NEEDS REPAIRS.  SHE CANNOT LIVE SAFELY AT HOME AND HAVE RESOURCES FOR ONLY FEW MONTHS OF CARE&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:56:25 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:13239</guid>
      <author>NONONO123</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by CJinUSA @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;To unknown poster from June 11, 2010:  I can understand your concerns.  I filed for Medicaid in PA for my mother in Feb 2010.  Something to spend $$ on:  New bed coverlets for summer and winter, a very good wheelchair pad to keep bed sores at bay, maybe her own furnishings for her side of the room (generally, as long as not antiques, Medicaid won&amp;rsquo;t consider as part of Mom&amp;rsquo;s assets) or a new digital/largest-size-for-the-space  TV.  &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; The nursing home Comptroller was extremely helpful.  She gave me a LIST of all the document copies I would need to file.  It's important, especially since you work, that you START putting together this information early, say 4 months, before you expect to file. Mother's documentation was a bit over 1/4 inch (tightly bound) and then an additional scant 1/4 inch in additional information requested by Medicaid after receipt of application (and the Medicaid officer said that was very little requested by them compared to most).  It's really not that bad as long as you have good filing habits; it's just pulling the info and getting photocopies.  The nursing home Medicaid coordinator will be your best source to get the information together (hey, without it, the N.H.  wouldn't get paid when Mom runs out of $$). In PA, it the nursing home submits the application for you.  They will be the ones that find out first when Medicaid receives the application and when it is approved.  They will also be able to help you if the pharmacy Mom uses does not stop billing Mom after the Medicaid acceptance date. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; Some items to consider:  &lt;em&gt; MAKE SURE YOUR MOM IS IN A NURSING HOME THAT ACCEPTS MEDICAID PAYMENTS or she will have to move (This also applies to assisted living facilities for SSI).  &lt;/em&gt; Your Mom needs an IRrevocable funeral trust; this is one that cannot be changed.  &amp;ldquo;Irrevocable&amp;rdquo; is what Medicaid will be looking for; generally, the funeral director will forward any monies left after the funeral to Medicaid.  Make sure that you have prepaid burial plot AND opening/closing of the grave expenses AND headstone/marker (Medicaid will need copies of this documentation, too).  &lt;em&gt; You will need letters from all life insurance companies regarding the cash value of each (Medicaid may require that you cash in&amp;mdash;remember that you will have prepaid funeral expenses prior to applying for Medicaid so you will not need any cash from policies for that purpose, and at the time of Medicaid application, Mom should not have any outstanding debts.)  &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; LTC policies are not meant to pay all expenses, but to provide help with unexpected N.H. SHORT-TERM stays; it also helps pay assisted living expenses at &amp;frac12; the daily rate of N.H. payments.  My Mother is 91 and has just depleted her LTC payments (the month before Medicaid application).  It kept her out of SSI while in assisted living (must meet all LTC requirements for payment), but it would have been better not to have when it was determined that she would remain in a N.H. for the rest of her days. &lt;em&gt; After going on Medicaid, Mom will keep her allotted personal money&amp;mdash;in PA it&amp;rsquo;s $45/mo.  Everything else is sent to the N.H.  Out of personal $$ is TV cable, telephone, and any additional beauty services/personal services (2 beauty shop visits free per month here) and products above what the individual N.H. will allow (check with N.H.)  Future clothing and grooming items (fragrance, deodorant, cosmetics) are Mom&amp;rsquo;s/your responsibility. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; This was a loooong post.  There&amp;rsquo;s so much more.  You are going in the right direction, reading and posting to caring.com.  Take here what applies, discard what does not apply, get support from other caregivers, and SMILE that you are doing your best for parent.  *** Also remember&amp;mdash;to all who read this&amp;mdash;the monies we are discussing to get to Medicaid are the applicants&amp;rsquo;&amp;mdash;probably our parents&amp;rsquo; monies&amp;mdash;not ours.  Our parents may have hoped their children could benefit from their hard-earned money, but that doesn&amp;rsquo;t matter.  It is their money and first and foremost should be spent on them&amp;mdash;the earners, who raised us, paid for us in our growing years, and who we love.  Same goes for those insurance policies.  We, the caregivers, are rich because they are still here and not just a memory.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:55:49 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:9442</guid>
      <author>CJinUSA</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by Neicie @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;I don't understand what my state legislator can do.  Can you fill me in a little more as to why I should contact him.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:56:37 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:9438</guid>
      <author>Neicie</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by ReneeLease @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;get help from your state legislator and insist on being helped.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:37:21 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:9434</guid>
      <author>ReneeLease</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by Anonymous @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Just a little advice from what I've experienced as being the main caregiver to my mother who is now residing in a N.H. (3 months so far).
Fellow caregivers, correct me if I'm wrong with any of this information. I need to know and I am open to any additional advice.&lt;br&gt;
I am currently paying 10K a month for my mother's care.  (Unbelievable, right)? It seems like a sin to charge that much, and that's for a semi-private room!  In addition I am responsible for all her medications. 
New York State also taks on an additional &quot;assessment fee&quot; each month of about $150.00! Leave it to NYS to find another way to drain us dry.
All this is depleteing my mother's savings along with the money recieved from the sale of her house.  I feel like I should just sign over her whole bank account since it is just a matter of time before they take it all.  At that time she will be eligible for Medicaid. It's so sad to see her money disappear so fast. I'm trying to spend her money on whatever she needs for now, and am looking for creative ways to spend more.
We bought a vehicle in her name a couple years ago, to transport her for doctor's appointments etc. She's in a wheelchair. I don't believe that will count for medicaid eligibility. I heard they are allowed to own one vehicle.&lt;br&gt;
My mother, me/husband, brothers/sister-in-laws, all have purchased revocable burial accounts.  This is an allowable expenditure with her money as far as medicaid is concerned. 
I'm not sure what they will question as far as her expenses when it comes time to apply for her. I'm trying to be creative in ways to spend down her and my fathers hard earned money.  Any suggestions?
So by experiencing all this I am against purchasing LTC insurance.  I hear when it's needed the insurance does not cover everything.  There are hidden expenses that you will still be responsible for, even after paying all those premiums.  I feel you're better off enjoying your hard earned money during your &quot;approaching&quot; elder years.  I know it's hard to predict the future, but I'm hoping we don't have a significant amount of money at the time we may need nursing home care. Also, the insurance only pays for nursing home expenses.  Chances are you may never have to live in one.&lt;br&gt;
If you have a house and children, make sure you sign it over in a timely manner so that when Medicaid looks back five years it will be safe for them to own or sell. A hard decision to make, but a wise one. 
My dear father who passed away due to a sudden stroke, never did that, and now one year later, it was necessary for my mother to be in a nursing home. Now the money from the sale of the house must be accountable and spent on her nursing home care in order to be eligible for aid when it's gone.
This has all taken a toll on me since I work full time, have my own family and a home to take care of.  I handle of all her medical needs, bills, banking, nursing home problems (which are many) etc., and she still wants me to be with her all the time!  If I don't come for a day, she usually gets upset, tells me she misses me so much, and then makes me feel guilty. My brothers can't seem to take the place of me, her only daughter, so I am stuck.  I love her so much and feel sorry for her being there and not being able to walk and/or help herself.
Thanks for &quot;listening&quot; everyone. Good luck to all the caregivers out there.  It's a tough job that must be done.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:18:56 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:9432</guid>
      <author>Anonymous</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by dawnn @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The company I work for is based in Washington but my facility is in California. We too have changed from a long term care focus or skilled care to Post-acute and are limiting the number of long-term residents. California has a trial program paying for a small part of assisted living but only in three counties. San juaquin is one of them but the waiting list is ridiculous!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:25:08 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:8534</guid>
      <author>dawnn</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by cmacp @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Dawn; With all due respect. I don't work in a nursing home and don't live in Ca, but I experienced some rapid medicaid nursing home changes in coverage just last yr. The skilled facility my hubby was admitted to 9/09, had an Intermediate care wing where most of the residents were paid for by Medicaid. I began the  LTC apllication but within 2 mos our State dropped covering new Intermediate care residents. Residents already covered under Intermediate care would not be dropped, but the State announced that it was ceasing it's Intermediate care for new applications. this was a bombshell to me and the facility. They flew in major management from corporation headquarters and in a flurry rapidly redid their business model. By Thanksgiving, they were already switching rooms over from Intermediate care to Acutely ill. As the existing Intermediate care residents leave, they will be replaced only with acutely ill. As far as I know, there was no warning given by the State re these changes. No press releases, no public discussion. It was personally stunning. This is going to effect Senior citizens who for a generation have relied on Intermediate level nursing home care. Assisted living is cheaper for the States, but does not have the oversight and not appropriate for many seniors. &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:18:34 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:8530</guid>
      <author>cmacp</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by cmacp @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Katoboss;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The State medicaid programs are being slashed faster than people can keep abreast of changes. I know what you mean about the 2 changes - no payment for inhome care givers and no coverage for Intermediate care nursing homes. Now you have to be very very ill. The walking distance test you mention sounds like your State has switched. 
If you haven't had experience with Medicaid programs in the last 6-9 mos you may be in for a shock. A 3rd change that the States are switching to is when the Sanction penalty starts for unexplained property transferes. The 5 yr look back is still in place, but the penalty sanction used to kick in when the transfer was made. By the time the person was in the facility, the sanction had already expired. Gifts count towards the penalty. Now the look back is still 5 yrs but the sanction penalty doesn't start until the person is in the facility. And the States don't want to grant waivers under the Hardship clause. 
So now, if you gave your grandchild a car for graduation 2 yrs ago, it will trigger a penalty effective now. If the car had a $10,000 resale value, it will trigger a 2 month sanction period of no coverage. And it doesn't start until the person actually needs the care. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; We live in NC. My husband was unexpectedly re-hospitalized 9/09. While he was in the skilled facility and I was in the middle of doing the Medicaid ap, the State was changing it's coverage. Our State used to cover 3 types of LTC. Now it's only 2. Acutely ill, or Assisted living. I took my hubby home while I waited the Medicaid results. I would like to continue caring for him at home but the caseworker told me yesterday that the only in home care program is one called CAPS. They would provide caregivers, and cover medical not covered by Medicare. However, we would have to give the State almost all of my husband's SSDI income. Yes I could work, but I'd be working the first 1/2 of each month just to pay the State. Things are getting crazy as States try to close their budget shorfalls.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:02:28 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:8529</guid>
      <author>cmacp</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by dawnn @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;I think you have been given misinformation on requirements for nursing home admission. I have worked case management and admissions for more than twenty years in nursing homes in California.Many of our residents walk more than 300 feet and are paid for by Med-cal.We have a gentleman approved for Medical whose income is greater than 5600 dollars a month.  Generally any income is paid to the nursing home except 35 dollars (in Ca) and the nursing home bills the balance to Medi-Cal. Your funds should never be required for your mom's care.Check with your county Ombudsman or Dept of aging for help in placement. Lifestyles.com gives great info on placement and alternate facilities and care levels. Hope this was helpful&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:15:01 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:8508</guid>
      <author>dawnn</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by wpowell156 @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;My Dad passed last February and we knew he had been doing the same with his money (what little he had since he was only on Social Security) buying coins, magazine subscriptions, cheap gifts for others, etc.  In settling his estate it became clear that he did not have enough $$ to pay all his outstanding credit card balances and medical bills.  An attorney advised me that credit card balances and &quot;end of life medical bills&quot; were both considered &quot;unsecured&quot; debt and that we could either pay them nothing or pay each a &quot;pro rata&quot; portion based on their portion of his total outstanding debts.  We chose to use the &quot;pro rata&quot; method and explained the situation in a letter to each creditor.  That hasn't stopped the calls and billings from continuing to try to get more, but we just ignore the calls and file the bills received each month.  You may want to consult an attorney and see what would happen if he stopped paying his credit card bills so you can use more of his income for his medical /care needs.  It is likely that they will try to ruin his credit, but at his age why does he need a good credit rating?&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:18:52 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:6691</guid>
      <author>wpowell156</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by gaybriel @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;BRENDA D Regarding credit card debt-It is shameful the way credit card companies and solicitors take advantage of the elderly-fight back. Check to see the interest and fees that have accumulated. Talk to attorney who specializes in elder law. You can call the credit card companies and try to settle-Be firm-because of his age, if you threaten not to pay, they will probably deal, especially if he misses a few payments. But, you have to speak to a supervisor, not representative that answers phone. If that doesn't work, you can go to an accredited state credit counseling service (google or call state government for list-do not deal with any other debt counselors or settlement companies-you could get scammed). They can set up a consolidation plan with creditors (lower interest and payments) or advise if he qualifies for bankruptsy. What does he care at his age about credit scores. Even if you do nothing, they &quot;might&quot; after a few years, try to get a judgement, but that would only allow them to get a lien on property-not take it (have him transfer assets to you). They cannot garnish Social Security income or pension. There are many financial and legal counseling agencies that you could contact for advice-find your state agencies for the elderly. Good luck.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:36 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:6298</guid>
      <author>gaybriel</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by katosboss @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Thanks but I've said countless times the State of California is drastically slashing our cash for caregiving program called In Home Supportive Services.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:25:40 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5859</guid>
      <author>katosboss</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by Missy @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;There is actually a Medicaid program that will pay you for providing care for a family member.  Check &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.caring.com/questions/how-to-become-a-paid-caregiver&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;this&lt;/a&gt; out for more info.  Hopefully you will find it helpful.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:50:41 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5853</guid>
      <author>Missy</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by lbarileau @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;No we are in IL. My dad is not on the mortgage and my mom is only 55 so the bank does not qualify her for a reverse mortgage. Her and I are on the mortgage. I am only 33yrs old.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:51:32 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5845</guid>
      <author>lbarileau</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by katosboss @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;To lbarileau,
Thank you for your message and support. Two questions come to mind. Are you in California and have you considered getting a reverse mortgage?&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:16:59 -0000</pubDate>
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      <author>katosboss</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by lbarileau @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;I moved back in the house w/ my mom and dad when I had my daughter. I work full time out of the house and my mom works part time in the evenings so someone is always home for my dad. His long term disability stops on Nov. 6th now we have no way of paying for our mortgage. Mom and dad have no retirement funds, I cashed out my IRA to help pay bills now we are broke and at risk of losing the home we had for 30yrs now. Isn't there some state program that pays us for taking care of dad or paying for a caregiver so my mom can get a full time job?&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:18:40 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5827</guid>
      <author>lbarileau</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by fpaccio@verizon,net @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;ditto on the help of the VA my son was injured in vietnam and is still waiting for them to decide if he is elligible...what does a person have to do ? we have sent folder and folders of information and they are stalling and denying his compensation..So who is stupid enough to enlist? &lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:27:39 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5804</guid>
      <author>fpaccio@verizon,net</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by katosboss @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;In response to all of your comments, what I have done is applied for Medi-cal (Medicaid) and she got approved. That pays for medical costs but not for care. She is currently in an assisted living home but hates it. With the lack of funds and state assistance, I'm going to be forced to bring her to my home. She has been paying for the &quot;home&quot; which is more than her monthly income and is going to have to pay for a caregiver once at my place since I work during the day. Our state (California) previously paid people back for caregiving in the home but is stopping due to our budget crisis. It's funny. The state with Hollywood making so much money in it is broke! There's something wrong with this picture. I also found out that in our state Medicare only pays for a nursing home if the patient cannot walk more than 20 feet and they are not desirable to live in anyway. Let this be lesson to all of us to get long term insurance or save for our medical expenses.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:18:15 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5569</guid>
      <author>katosboss</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by tryingtofloat @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;There are different types of Medicaid in NY. Regular Medicaid provides healthcare and other services for low income persons. But for those who are disabled or over 65 there are types of Medicaid where so long as your monthly income is less than the nursing home or home care bill, you may qualify. Community Medicaid - they will provide some home care, you may keep $787 a month of your income, there is no look back period for the transfer of assets and you entitled to keep alot of your resources (assets).  For Institutional or Nursing Home Medicaid you may keep only $50 month of your income and you may not retain resources over $13800.  There is a 3-5 year look back period for transfer of assets, but they allow you keep most of the equity in your home and a car. My father was in rehab, refused to do his physical therapy and Medicare cut him off so they moved him to long term care and we are now applying for Nursing Home Medicaid.  His savings is over $13800 so we have to &quot;spend down&quot; but the money spent must be on certain things, otherwise it will count as a transfer of assets, and there will be a penalty or disqualification. Anyway, one allowable expenditure is to prepay the funeral in an Irrevocable Medicaid trust.  So I just dropped a hefty sum at the funeral home today and we are almost down below $13800. I will probably just private pay the nursing home the remainder to get his account below that magic number and then he should be eligible for Medicaid, but they will take his pension and SS check each month.&lt;br /&gt;
Previous posts have mentioned contacting your local Dept of the aging which is a great idea but there are also tons of non-profit agencies that can help.  Try googling the name of your town AND ELDERLY.  Another thing you can do is call your local nursing home and explain you feel your parent should be in a nursing home but you can't pay for it. They want the business and they want to be paid so they will answer your questions. Also, as a previous post mentioned, try contacting a Medicaid planning attorney.  Go to the free consultation then go home and research everything they tell you (the one I saw yesterday gave me outdated info.) Medicaid laws change constantly at least in NY. Good luck everyone!&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:07:04 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5549</guid>
      <author>tryingtofloat</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by Anonymous @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Take my advice and if you're planning to apply for veterans' benefits for your parent, get an advocate from the VA to help you, or maybe a lawyer. I spent hours and hours over several months trying to give the VA what they seemed to want and was rejected in the end for all kinds of absurd reasons, e.g., I didn't have his caregiver send in an accompanying statement on the caregiver's letterhead (!)--something they had of course never asked for. The VA does not want to give you money, and they make it nearly impossible for you to get it. My father fought in Word War II, is disabled, is running out of money, meets all the guidelines as far as I can tell--but there you have it. No help from the VA.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:35:44 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5546</guid>
      <author>Anonymous</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by warcat @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Check your state's regulations, but my grandmother placed her home in the names of all of her children, and they granted her free rent for the rest of her life. She survived more than 7 years from the transfer of property, which is the limit in CO for the Medicaid lien on the home, so her children did not have to repay Medicaid from the sale of the home after her death. Obviously, you cannot guarantee that the person will outlive the time limit for the lien, but it was a way to try to pass on some of her assets to her children. It is much easier to preserve assets for the spouse. She could not have any monitary assets above $2000 to qualify for Medicaid, but the value of the home did not count since she was &quot;renting&quot; the home she transferred to her children, unless she died before the seven year lien period. In CO if both spouses qualify for Medicaid, they can only have $1500 each in assets, not $2000 which is the limit for a single person. Every state has their own rules. In CO they can keep $50 a month for personal expenses, other states have less or more. This is not federally regulated, it is federally mandated and state regulated.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:13:31 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5540</guid>
      <author>warcat</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by CJinUSA @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Here is URL for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit for veterans and spouses: http://www.veteransfinancial.com/aid-attendance/index.html
Here is URL for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit BLOG/FAQ's: http://www.veteransfinancial.com/aid-attendance/index.html
I applied for Mom in May 2005 and received first check (with $$ back to VA's receipt of application) in March 2006.  The monthly $$ amount is reviewed yearly for cost of living increase.  The most time-consuming thing is the yearly accounting to the VA. Example:  You must list the total $$ for each retailer paid SEPARATELY.  Example:  Walmart $200, BJ's Wholesale $100, RiteAid $50, etc.  Hope this helps regarding VA.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:38:39 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5535</guid>
      <author>CJinUSA</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by cmacp @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;I'm still learning about this topic. 
I have found that Medicaid is the major resource for most long term care needs. How it 'plays out' depends on the particular circumstances.
What most of you are looking for is Medicaid's Long Term Care Programs. The financial qualifications are more generous than regular Medicaid which is based on poverty level income. The biggest differentiating feature is if your parent is married or single. The marital home is protected for the spouse and some of the ill spouses income is given to the stay at home &quot;community&quot; spouse. 
Round 1: Single
2 1/2 yrs ago, my domestic partner was in a skilled facility after a brain injury. Medicaid took all of his income except for $30. We were on the verge of loosing our home. I brought him home and cared for him myself. We tried the Community at Home Program (CAPS), but that wasn't much better financially. It still only left us with $271 mo to pay our bills. 
Round 2:
Almost two yrs ago, we got married and I elected to start drawing early SS.
Four weeks ago, M had another 'triggering event'. He collapsed, was hospitalized, and is once again in a skilled facility. It is unlikely that he will come home. We are applying for Medcaid Long Term care. As a married couple, I am learning that - unlike 2 1/2 yrs ago, Medicaid has special Spousal Protection Programs. The marital home is protected from medicaid liens. The stay at home Community Spouse gets a portion of the institutionalized spouse's income - for a combined income  of up to $2,000 mo. (to pay the household bills and not loose the home). Medicaid allows the transfer of the title to the marital home to the stay at home spouse under this program. Should the ill spouse die first, the marital home will not be subject to probate or Medicaid liens. Medicaid hardship allowances, mean the surviving spouse stays in the home. Limits on marital assets are much more generous than regular Medicaid. Upon approval, the stay at home spouse's income is not counted. 
Of course, this is spousal protection. Adult children of a parent needing Long term nursing home care are not likely to receive an inheritance. Medicaid will - I believe, -  be repaid when the Will is probated. But, if you are interested in your ailing parent receiving nursing home care, - it is available through Medicaid.
Google 'Medicaid long Term care' for your particular State.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:30:25 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5531</guid>
      <author>cmacp</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by Brenda D @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;My step-dad is 93yr and up until last spring was handling his own finances. I have since discovered that he has charged his credit cards with approx. $75,000 buying gold coins, various gifts &amp;amp; trinkets, magazine subscriptions to give away, etc. We are now at the point of making some decisions as to his living arrangements.  He makes $3500/month in SS &amp;amp; pension, but his credit card payments are taking most of it. Because he has a decent income he doesn't qualify for any assistance that we know of. Does anyone have any advice? &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:5421</guid>
      <author>Brenda D</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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      <title>'When mom or dad didn't prepare, financially, for their care, what do you do?' posted by Jaye @ {post.created_at.to_s(:post_time)}</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;My Grandmother lived with us when she was ill.&amp;nbsp; It was a good experience for all of us.&amp;nbsp; My two sons were 6 and 3 at the time.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;I think they learned some things they would have NEVER learned any other way.&amp;nbsp; She really loved the boys and they still talk about Great-Grandma.&amp;nbsp; They are all grown up now and are very kind men and very attentive to their now aging Grandparents.&amp;nbsp; Our elders can teach us many many things if we allow them.&amp;nbsp; I had cared for my Grandfather and the last conversation we had was about my Grandmother.&amp;nbsp; I remember thinking at the time I hope someone loves me that much someday.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;take care and try to be thankful that you have your MOM.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:42:22 -0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">www.caring.com:5:643:4622</guid>
      <author>Jaye</author>
      <link>http://www.caring.com/forums/caring-central/when-mom-or-dad-didnt-prepare-financially-for-their-care-what-do-you-do</link>
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