A poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found people 40 and older underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older, and aren't doing enough to prepare. But about 47 percent say they have taken one step, creating an advance directive to outline the medical care they'd want if they couldn't communicate. By LAURAN NEERGAARD and JENNIFER AGIESTA Associated Press / April 24, 2013
Meals delivered to older adults help them avoid costly and unnecessary nursing home care, according to a new study. But it costs money which Friend of Meals on Wheels is trying to raise. Researchers from Brown University found states that invest in these programs under the Older Americans Act are successful in helping seniors remain in their homes. "Despite efforts to re-balance long-term care, there are still many nursing home residents who have the functional capacity to live in a less restrictive environment," wrote study authors Kali Thomas and Vincent Mor, both gerontology researchers. "States that have invested in their…
Everyone with elderly parents visualizes the day their parents become ill and need extended care – from a lengthy hospital stay to 24/7 nursing home care. Parental support laws, of "filial support" may leave the children of these patients with a hefty bill – in the event they should pass away. Many children of elderly parents fear being stuck with an astronomical bill should their parents need long-term health care of 24/7 nursing. The law currently on the books in 29 states and Puerto Rico allow long-term care providers to pursue payment from a parent's adult children. A professor of…
We are supporting the National Memory Screening Day (NMSD), an annual initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) in which qualified health care professionals at local sites nationwide provide free, confidential memory screenings and educational materials to the public. NMSD is also intended to educate the public about “successful aging,” including the benefits of proper diet, physical exercise, mental stimulation, and stress management. Last year, over 96,500 people participated in NMSD at over 2,540 sites nationwide. This is a 12 percent growth over the previous year’s participation, and demonstrates the growing public awareness of the value of early detection…
Although there has been no official pronouncement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, we think we know what next year’s spousal impoverishment thresholds will be for Medicaid long-term care applicants. The annual adjustments to the figures are based on the consumer price index for urban consumers for the September prior to the year in question, in this case September 2012, a figure that was just released. Pennsylvania attorney the results in his blog. Marshall cautions that his projections may differ slightly from CMS’s ultimate figures if the agency rounds differently, but we feel certain that the figures are…
The average monthly cost for assisted living has risen 5%, which might drive some seniors to consider other, more economical options when it comes to long-term care, according to the 2012 American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) Sourcebook. Assisted living costs an average of $3,350, reports the association, but despite the increase, more people have been turning to assisted living or home healthcare options rather than nursing home care. Less than a third (31%) of newly opened long-term care insurance claims are for nursing home care, according to AALTCI data. However, many seniors are realizing that long-term care insurance can…
Medicare will pay for the nursing home. Medicare does not pay for long term care at the nursing home. Medicare consists of four parts: A, B, C, and D and is offered to those who are at least 65 years old, less than 65 years old and disabled, or in end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Medicare Part A pays for hospital stays, some home health care for rehabilitation services, and inpatient rehabilitation services. There is no monthly premium for Part A as these services are covered by payments made through your lifetime payroll taxes. Medicare Part…
1. 70% of Americans who live to age 65 will need long-term care at some time in their lives! 2. It costs approximately $142,000 a year for a nursing home bed at some facilities! 3. 50% of all couples and 70% of single persons become impoverished within one year after entering a nursing home. 4. Medicare does not pay you or your family for long-term care. 5. By using proper Medicaid Asset Protection strategies, Medicaid is available to pay the nursing home costs, without forced impoverishment.
When you come to our office for the initial consultation, our promise is to make it as comforting as possible. When you leave our office feeling relieved and you have a guide to lead them through the long-term care legal maze. In helping clients navigate the long-term care legal maze we’ve set up a three-step process. The Peace of Mind Meeting At the first meeting, we will welcome you to our firm. Consider this a “get to know you meeting.” At this meeting it is our goal to make you feel comfortable and help you understand the long-term care maze that…
From a recent Forbes article, a Pennsylvania state appeals court ruled that the adult son of a nursing home resident is responsible for her unpaid $93,000 bill. Pennsylvania is one of 30 states that have filial responsibility statutes—laws that impose a duty on adult children to care for their indigent parents. About two-thirds of those states, including Pennsylvania, allow long-term care providers to sue family members to recover unpaid costs. The rest, including states such as Massachusetts, have no recovery provisions. However, failing to care for a parent is a criminal offense. The rules vary widely from state to state….
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