Help me figure out how to pay for care

• Buying Guide - A Buyer's Guide to Reverse Mortgages

  This free buyer's guide to reverse mortgages will help you understand how reverse mortgages work and what to look for in a reverse mortgage.

• Buying Guide - A Buyer's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance

  Find the best long-term care insurance policy for your needs. Understand their costs, benefits, extra perks, and the common loopholes to avoid.

• Article - Medicaid: A Beginner's Guide

  Medicaid: A Beginner's Guide. What is Medicaid? Who qualifies for Medicaid? What does Medicaid cover?

• Article - Reverse Mortgages: A Beginner's Guide

  Reverse Mortgage: A Beginner's Guide. A free informative guide on reverse mortgages.

• Article - Long-term Care Insurance: A Beginner's Guide

  Long Term Care Insurance: A Beginner's Guide. Long term care insurance is one of the best ways to minimize expenses as your parents get older.

• Article - Medicare and Long-Term Care: What’s Covered, What’s Not

  Learn the basics about Medicare coverage for home care and nursing facilities. How much does Medicare pay for home care? What type of care is covered?

• Article - Enrolling in Medicare Programs

  A concise guide to how and when to enroll in Medicare based on your parent's particular circumstances.

Questions & Answers

• Question - What are my responsibilities if I hire a home health aide?

  What are my responsibilities when hiring a home health aide? I'm confused about payroll taxes, Social Security taxes and other benefits.

• Question - Is a Medicaid annuity a scam?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What help is available to pay for prescription drugs?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Am I responsible for my parent's debt?

  Am I responsible for my parent's debt? I recently discovered that my father has several thousand of dollars of debt. Are parent debts transferable?

• Question - How do I set up a conservatorship for my mother?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - With both my parents in the hospital, how can I pay their bills?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - What are the risks with reverse mortgages?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do we decide between a reverse mortgage for my father or a personal loan from me?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How should my father balance estate planning, tax planning, and Medicaid planning?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What is the average cost of assisted living community fees in Westchester county in NY state?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - When property is held jointly and one party enters a nursing home, what is the financial responsibility of each party?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Do we need to protect my parent's home/assets?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What are reverse mortgages?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Will Medicaid pay for my dad's ventilator and skilled nursing care in my home?

  Medicaid might not cover enough nursing services to allow a patient on a ventilator to receive care at home.

• Question - Is there any financial support available for "sitters",...

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - When does a new Medicare Part A "benefit period" begin?

  A new Medicare Part A "benefit period" starts if a second inpatient stay is the result of a different injury or illness from the previous one.

• Question - Will Medicare help pay for an assisted living facility?

  Medicare doesn't cover assisted living at all, but in some states Medicaid can pay the full cost of assisted living for an elder with little money.

• Question - How can you pay for care when your assets are too high for Medicaid?

  You can still qualify for Medicaid in many states if your assets are above the normal eligibillity limit but you have high medical bills.

• Question - Who is responsible for paying for my mother's care?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Should we get a home equity line of credit in order to pay for nursing home care until my parent's home is sold?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Having limited resources, how do I get into a nursing home?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can the children of a nursing home resident distribute his assets as a “spend down” to qualify for Medicaid?

  Can the children of a nursing home resident distribute assets as a spend down to qualify for Medicaid? Get expert answers on spend down guidelines.

• Question - How do we deal with my mother, who requires oxygen 24/7, while enduring air travel?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Is there any financial aid for a child to quit their job and care for their parent?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How does one go about hiding assets?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Does Medicare cover lifting and transporting a parent to dialysis?

  Medicare won't pay for transportation except a medically necessary ambulance, but other local elder transport is available.

• Question - How does an in-home caregiver get paid by the state?

  To get paid by Medicaid as an in-home caregiver, you must become certified by the state after completing a state-qualified training program.

• Question - Does the Veterans Administration have any claim on my parent’s estate?

  Does the VA or our state have any claim on my parent’s estate?

• Question - Are there financial benefits available to a primary caregiver?

  A caregiver who becomes a certified home care aide could receive small benefits from Medicaid, or be paid from long-term care insurance.

• Question - Does any government program pay for assisted living?

  In a few states, Medicaid can pay for assisted living in an approved facility.

• Question - How can we keep from selling my mother's home to pay for her final expenses?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Will the State of CA pay you to care for your parents?

  The State of CA won't pay family to provide care, except possibly some Medi-Cal home care payments if the caregiver is a certified home care aide.

• Question - Will Medicare pay for carcinoma of the gums?

  Medicare covers treatment of the gums if it's the kind of care normally provided by a physician, not just by a dentist.

• Question - Can I get paid to provide care for my mother in FL?

  An adult child who is certified as a home care aide might get some pay from Medicaid, or from long-term care insurance, for caring for a parent.

• Question - How can I help my mom that is disabled from pollio, In the...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What financial assistance is available for caregivers?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

Tips & Reflections

• Tip - Little-Known Veterans Benefit Can Pay for Your Parent's Nursing Home

  A little-known Veteran's Benefit might help pay for nursing home care and other medical expenses. Learn what it is, how to qualify and apply.

• Tip - Look to the Web for Hidden Health Benefits

  Even if your parents are already signed up for Medicare...

• Tip - Offsetting the Costs of Caregiving

  Ask your tax advisor whether you can claim your parent...

• Tip - Save Your Parent Money on Physical Therapy

  Medicare Part B covers physical therapy if a doctor...

• Tip - For Long-Term Income, Opt for an Insured Reverse Mortgage

  Many private reverse mortgages aren't insured...

• Tip - Put It in Writing to Avoid Disputes

  If you and your siblings are squabbling over who should...

• Tip - Get Medicare to Cover Your Parent's Physical Exam

  Except for an initial "wellness" exam when your parent...

• Tip - Give the Gift of Long-Term Care Insurance

  If you're struggling with what gift to get your parent...

• Tip - Using Medicaid to Hire Family and Friends as In-home Caregivers

  If your parent is eligible for Medicaid, the state...

• Tip - Toll-free phone line for senior services

  This toll-free phone number refers you to a variety of local social services for seniors and others.

• Tip - Save Your Parent 15 Percent on Medical Bills

  Whenever your parent is about to see a doctor or other...