Question: “How do you find out which elder care facilities are Medicaid approved? Is there a list? Are assisted living facilities Medicaid approved or just nursing homes?” Answer: There are several ways to find a Medicaid approved facility in your area. I will have to be general rather than specific because this answer should apply to […]
Which is best and why: to purchase a Medicare supplement or to enroll in a Medicare advantage plan? Answer: From a financial perspective, there are some very good reasons to consider a Medicare Advantage plan (also called Medicare Part C). It is important to understand that, when you choose to be insured under a Medicare Advantage […]
Question: My mom is 85. I am 62 and blind. Is it true that elderly parents can transfer all assets to blind children, of any age, and immediately qualify for Medicaid? My mom does not need Medicaid now. I am just thinking ahead. There might be a time when she needs to enter a nursing home or needs nursing assistance. I […]
Question: I have been taking care of my Mother since 2004. She has Alzheimer’s Disease. I do not currently have a job because I am with her 24 hours a day. Is there any compensation that I could receive for all my time and effort? Answer: We certainly recognize the value of the time you have put […]
Question: My family is considering hiring someone to help us monitor the care provided to our elderly parents. Should we be looking for a Care Manager or a Case Manager? We are a little confused as to the difference between these 2 types of professionals…or are they the same? Answer: Whether or not you want a […]
Question: “My step-Dad, who is in a convalescent home, is having to pay off some medical bills. He has a long-term care (LTC) policy that we’re hoping will pay; it is currently in claims review. If he receives the LTC benefit from the policy, will that benefit he receives from the policy be included in […]
The national press has picked up several reports in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser about the plight of Karen Okada. Karen is a 95-year-old woman who signed a “Death with Dignity Declaration” and a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health-Care Instructions” back in 1998. Both documents purport to control “in all circumstances.” Health-Care Directive The Queen’s Medical […]
How would we go about getting custody over our elderly aunt, who is physically disabled but mentally competent and has no one else to look after her and her resources? Answer: If your elderly Aunt is mentally competent and is willing to have you look after her, she can execute a General Durable Power of Attorney […]
Question: My family and friends in Dallas, Texas love the ElderCareMatters.com website, and we are looking forward to the day (hopefully soon) when we will be able to find on this wonderful site a comprehensive list of ALL professionals across America who help families plan for and/or deal with their elder care matters. Thank you […]
Question: I am a senior and a disabled veteran. I receive some Veterans benefits and Social Security. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I can no longer pay my credit card debts. Is bankruptcy my only choice? Answer: No, bankruptcy is not your only choice. Here is why. In general, the original creditors will try […]
Question: I am an Elder Law Attorney who has helped hundreds of families within my state plan for and deal with their elder care matters. Would you please explain why you are offering a FREE membership option to ALL elder care professionals across America to be listed on your website, ElderCareMatters.com? Answer: ElderCareMatters.com is a national […]
Question: “My sister and I have powers of attorney for our mother. Mom also has her assets in a trust and we are joint trustees in the trust. We need to take over bill paying and handle financial matters for her. Would you please answer the following four (4) short elder care financial questions for […]
Question: What are the financial options that are available to us for paying for long-term care for our elderly parents? For example, will Medicare and Medicaid pay for these elder care expenses? Please advise. Answer #1: Medicare does not pay for “long term care”. The only time that Medicare will pay for a patient in a nursing […]
Question: Any idea when you will be providing Georgia families with the opportunity to ask their elder care questions to the members of the Georgia chapter of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance? My family and I have recently been faced with a host of elder care matters and we need some help, including finding competent elder […]
Question: Can an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in Florida transfer my mother to another facility without my approval, her financial and health care Agent. Apparently, Mom, who is 87 years old and has dementia, has been somewhat rowdy recently and apparently because of this behavior / acting out, the Assisted Living Facility has made a unilateral decision […]
Question: Can two states claim me as a resident for tax purposes if I live in one state part of the year and another state the rest of the year? Answer: You should take all steps possible to avoid a claim of dual domicile upon death. You should analyze the tax structure of both states […]
Question: Is it really true that Florida will not permit a newly appointed Guardian (of the person and property) to move a Ward to another state? Answer: You need permission from the Court for a Guardian to move a Ward to another county in Florida or out of state and you need acceptable grounds like facilities better serve […]
Question: My 95-year old Aunt who lives in Florida has a private, live in – caregiver. The caregiver insists that Florida Law requires 2 hours off for every 12 hours worked. She says if she doesn’t actually take time off, she’s entitled to pay. She’s basically charging my Aunt for 28 hours a day! Does Florida […]
Question: My parents live in Melbourne Florida. My Dad has dementia and my mom is the primary caregiver. They live in their home. The house they live in is in a trust. They do not have a lot of money. My Dad (Senior Veterans) is a vet with a 15% Hearing Disability. What are their options […]
Helping an Elderly Parent with Moving Helping a parent move can be stressful, especially if that move is long distance. The job can be made less overwhelming by good planning. The big decision to move management will be made easier by turning the process into a series of smaller decisions and tasks. Teaming up with […]
Question: I am 75 years old and have a modest amount of savings, a home without a mortgage and a small retirement pension plus my monthly social security check. I am in relatively good health, and quite candidly hope to live for another 10-15 years. I have one child who is in her 50s but […]
Keeping Seniors Safe From Scams Our seniors are a charitable bunch, but sometimes that can get them into trouble. And the scammers out there know it. The scammers know that our seniors are often isolated and being a friendly bunch are willing to talk to a friendly voice. They also know the mail is the […]
Question: If you have the Power of Attorney for a person what sort of paperwork do you need to keep, and are you authorized to make decisions re: the care of that person in an assisted living facility or nursing home if the person is still in his/her right mind? Answer: Once the durable Power of Attorney […]
Question: I am caring for my mother in my home in California. It is a full time job. Will the state provide any kind of assistance to pay for this elder care? Answer: The state of California offers a program called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), which is paid for by Medicaid funds (MediCal, in California). The program, […]