Whether through illness, injury or just plain old age, most elder Americans will require some degree of long-term care support. For those who need help with activities of daily living and moderate levels of health-related assistance, receiving care at home is ideal. Unfortunately, care in the home is expensive and not a realistic alternative for many Florida seniors today.
It does not, however, have to be this way. With a little knowledge and advance planning with your elder law attorney, in-home caregiving costs can be significantly reduced and a possibility. Let us share with you ways to help pay for in-home care right here.
First, start planning early. When it comes to planning for your elder care needs, it is never too early to plan. The benefits of compound interests on your assets can be significant overtime. By consistently putting a little bit aside long before elder care services are needed, caregiving resources can grow exponentially. Taking additional steps along the way to secure long-term care insurance, life insurance, and other items within the home can all support quality in-home care.
If advance planning wasn’t possible and an elder parent needs caregiving services now, a good way to begin securing financial assistance is by exploring any applicable federal, state and local public benefit programs. Thankfully, we live in a society that provides a safety net for vulnerable people. It may not be enough to ensure the full scope of needed care and desired comfort within the home, or have a substantial initial waiting list, but some level of personal, household, transportation and health services are likely to be available during a time when you need it.
Medicare, for example, provides a wide range of elder health care resources, including some in-home services on a limited basis. Medicaid, reserved for low-income Americans, also provides some in-home support for eligible seniors, although the bulk of the program benefits for Florida seniors are to be found when the senior enters a skilled nursing facility. Homemaker services, such as preparing meals, bathing, getting dressed and cleaning, may be included in local public assistance benefits programs according to location, as well as certain home health aide services.
Veterans typically qualify for generous medical care plans through the Veterans Affairs Administration, including funding for a number of home-based care items. If an elder parent is a U.S military veteran, it is strongly recommended to contact your nearest V.A. office for more information. Further, for qualifying veterans, there is a pension available to help with costs like these that is not tied to wartime service.
If your elder parent qualifies for little in the form of public assistance, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of available help from community-based support groups. For example, churches, synagogues, senior centers, and certain nonprofit groups all offer various types of affordable home caregiving assistance. These entities exist, at least in part, to care for those in need, especially the elderly.
In-home caregiving can be expensive, but you’re not alone in shouldering the financial burden. We know, however, that this may not be a possibility for you and your family. We are here to help you find the right long-term care facility for you as well as find a way to pay for it, even in a crisis. Do not wait to contact our law office to let us help you today.