ElderAuthority.com

Caregiver Tax Credit

It is tax season again.  Caregiver tax credits and deductions are available those who qualify.  Eligibility is linked to the filing status of the person needing care (the dependent)  and the taxpayer’s status.
Who is a Dependent?
For IRS purposes, a dependent must

Be a relative* such as a parent, spouse, step-parent, grandparent, sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle, or in-law.
Be a citizen or resident of the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
Receive more than half support… More

What is an Ombudsman?

Definition of Ombudsman
An ombudsman is someone who represents the interests of, and advocates for, individuals who have complaints or issues with institutions such as large corporations, businesses, or governments. The word ombudsman can be traced back to the 16th century and the old Norse word for representative.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
A Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for people who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes… More

Long Term Care Statistics for 2011

John Hancock Financial (John Hancock) recently announced the results of its 2011 cost of care study, which found that long-term care (LTC) costs have continued to increase.  The study surveyed more than 11,000 providers, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health care agencies, in key cities across the country.
Findings:

Annual cost of care in the U.S. is $85,775 for a private room in a nursing home
Annual cost of care in the U.S. is $75,555 for a semi-private… More

Medicaid 5-Year Look-Back (options), Part 3

Two previous posts covered the Medicaid Five-Year Look-Back Period as a high-level description and with the details everyone needs to know.  This post covers some of the options that may provide an alternative.
PERMITTED TRANSFERS

While most transfers are penalized with a period of Medicaid ineligibility of up to five years, certain transfers are exempt from this penalty. Even after entering a nursing home, you may transfer any asset to the following individuals without… More

SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS: NURSING HOMES

If you or a family member requires 24/7 nursing care (also known as skilled nursing), moving to a nursing home is one choice, but not the only one.  The days of a parent making a child promise, “…to never put me in a nursing home” should be over.  A nursing home may be where you find the best care, quality of life, and safety.  Keep your mind open as you do your research.
NURSING HOMES
A nursing home provides constant nursing care for seniors with significant… More

SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS: UNDERSTAND ADLs AND IADLs

WHAT KIND OF HOUSING?
Adults usually need a certain set of skills in order to be able function independently.  The senior care professions calls them the Activities of Daily Living and use them to develop a functional assessment.  A functional assessment helps identify medical issues and diagnose cognitive abilities in addition to helping evaluate a person’s ability to manage every day tasks.
You can use the ADLs informally to help narrow down the kind of housing… More

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

Retirement communities are for retirement age people who cannot or no longer wish to live in a single family residence.  Most communities are expensive. Some are more affordable than others.  Look for non-profit facilities or communities that offer rental housing if your budget is tight.
Communities differ in the amount of on-site assistance and care provided.  Three types of retirement communities are:

Active (on site medical care not required)
Active and Supportive… More

ASSISTED LIVING HOMES & NURSING HOMES NOT THE SAME

Family Nursing Home Visit via ElderAuthority

There is a difference between an assisted living home and a nursing home.  If you are searching for a facility that will provide some level of care for a loved one, make sure you know the difference.  It will save you money and time. Most importantly, choosing the correct type of facility for your elder’s needs can make all the difference in his or her safety, health, and happiness.
UNDERSTAND ADLs
The ability of an elder to manage… More

“GREEN HOUSE” ELDER CARE HOME? YES, PLEASE!

 
RETHINKING ELDER CARE HOMES
Nursing homes often fell like hospitals, with a central nurses’ station, tile floors, institutional food, and long hallways to shared patients’ rooms.  The processes of a nursing home are designed around staff efficiency.
The Green Houses look and feel nothing like that.  They are designed around comfort and concern for the residents.  The homes were developed by Dr. William Thomas, an upstate New York geriatrician. … More

COMPARE RATINGS FOR SKILLED NURSING

NURSING HOME OVERSIGHT
When you look for a nursing home make sure you read the State and Federal Government Reports.  All nursing homes in the United States that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding are subject to federal regulations.  Surveyors may inspect for compliance with State regulations and/or Medicare and Medicaid regulations.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) are subject to federal regulations as well as strict state regulations. The nursing home industry… More