Seniors are living longer with chronic diseases, dementia, diabetes, and the effects of stroke. Unfortunately, many are unable to pay for their needed care on a long-term basis. If nursing home care is required, many seniors simply do not know their options. They use all their savings to pay for that care – at a cost of over $7,500 per month.
When they are out of money, Medi-Cal can provide assistance. Medi-Cal can later seek “recovery” against the senior’s home for this nursing home financial assistance. A lifetime of savings and frugal living is lost, because the senior had an illness or condition that required nursing home care. Unfortunately, the senior or the family never considered that there were options and asset protection possibilities.
Alternatively, many seniors live in assisted living facilities, board and care homes, or have private in-home caregivers. Again, the senior’s savings is the primary source of payment, and often the senior outlives their funds. Families are looking for tools, information, and ideas on how to afford care for elderly loved ones, without using all their life savings, and possibly losing the senior’s home. They need information on Medi-Cal, VA benefits, community resources, and other alternatives.
Many seniors wrongly believe that their insurance, such as Medicare, will cover their care needs. Not so. Medicare, SCAN, Kaiser, Secure Horizons, Blue Shield, HealthNet, and all the other insurance companies do not pay for long-term care. They only cover short-term nursing home care for older and disabled patients, after a three-day hospitalization (and not “observation status”). After this initial period expires, IF the senior qualifies, Medi-Cal can assist with the nursing home costs. But qualification is difficult, and full of rules and pitfalls. VA Aid and Attendance benefits can provide limited assistance for other care expenses, such as in-home caregivers and assisted living facilities.
Making wise decisions is very important when faced with these challenges. Having all the information and understanding the options is critical in making decisions. Our Law Firm guides families through the maze of long-term care issues, options, asset protection, and legal matters.
For an appointment, please call 661-287-3260. For more information, please visit our websites at www.janemcnamara.com, and www.VAbenefits4seniors.com.