How can Medicaid provide support with assisted living?
Medicaid doesn’t pay for room and board but in most states, there are other services that are covered by this health coverage program such as nursing care, personal care, case management, medication management, and medical assessments and exams. To become eligible for financial support through Medicaid, seniors must meet certain eligibility criteria such as low income or significant health needs, making them “medically needy”. People who are medically needy, but have too many financial assets can become eligible by spending them down; however, this approach is a bit risky as it can disqualify them completely from the program.
How can we bring our parents or relatives to assisted-living communities?
Discussions about the long-term care needs that parents or older relatives might require at some point in their lives have to be tackled in a timely manner. Siblings, in-laws, children, as well as other family members and friends should mutually decide and agree who will be responsible for what. Who will be in charge of the senior’s finances? Who will look for an assisted living community? Will someone take the senior for in-home care? Who will keep in touch with the doctors?
There are a lot of things that need to be discussed and organized in order for everyone to be happy with the outcome.
