Using Your Own Money to Pay for Long Term Care – the Better Way? Part 2
Last week I was talking about the difficulties in funding long term care through long term care insurance or Medicaid. Insurance companies are getting out of the long term care market entirely or drastically raising premiums. Medicaid, the primary government program that covers long term care, is still a
Using Your Own Money to Pay for Long Term Care – the Better Way?
As I always explain to people, there are 3 ways to pay for long term care. One way is to use your own money. A second source is long term care insurance and the third is government benefits – primarily Medicaid and the VA Aid and Attendance program. I
Seth Rogen Shouldn’t Be Surprised
The fact that a Hollywood actor testified before Congress is not anything new. Actor, Seth Rogen spoke before a Congressional appropriations subcommittee a couple of weeks ago about the need to devote more funds and attention to fighting Alzheimer’s Disease. But what created more of a stir was Rogen’s comments afterwards
Do You Have a Natural Support System?
It’s a growing epidemic, the number of aging Americans who have no one who would naturally be their support system as their health declines and they need assistance. A New York Times article the other day, titled “The Childless Plan for Their Fading Days”, highlights this problem and what some
An Update on Family Responsibility Laws
Two years ago I wrote about family or “filial” responsibility laws. What does the law say about a child’s responsibility to pay for a parent’s care? The population is continuing to age and the problem of long term care isn’t going away so what, if anything, has changed in the
Changes in Hospitals’ Treatment of Medicare Patients (Part 2)
Last week we were talking about Medicare’s Affordable Care Act and how the government is trying to reduce Medicare costs by targeting the problem of readmissions. Beginning last October, Medicare began penalizing hospitals for having too many readmissions. So, what has the impact been in New Jersey over the past
Long Term Care Planning – Should I Wait and See? Part 2
Kelly had originally called us 7 years ago. Her dad had recently fallen in his home and Kelly recognized the need for someone to come into his home to help him. At that time she felt that only a few hours a day was all that was necessary and once
Long Term Care Planning – Should I Wait and See?
I consistently emphasize that we can achieve the most favorable results for our clients with the benefit of time, meaning we want to work with clients as far as possible before they reach crisis mode. I know, however, that there is a general resistance to taking action. Long term care
Role Reversal – When the Child Becomes the Parent
It is something I explain frequently to families when discussing long term care and a conversation I had last week with Dad’s three children who flew in from different parts of the country to meet with me regarding his placement in an assisted living facility. The discussion centered on what Dad
I’ve Got Power of Attorney – Why Do I Need Guardianship? (Part 3)
Last week I told you that we had filed an application on behalf of Catherine, who was seeking an appointment as guardian for her dad, Jerry. Catherine was very nervous that Jerry would fight it or that he would be angry with her for pursuing it. Nevertheless, she gave us