50+ Lifestyles

Your Advocacy

By Kathy Nitz
Lead Benefits Advocate
GolderCare Solutions

Often times when our phone rings, it is a son or daughter that begins their story by saying that they have just returned from the doctor with Mom and doctor says she can’t live alone anymore. “Which nursing home should I pick?” is often the next statement. My next statement is normally something like, “Slow down!  Let’s not jump the gun!”

The general public is often unaware that there are so many options between living at home alone and going to a nursing home. We always advocate for the least restrictive level of care to begin. Many factors play into your next decision that jumping straight to a nursing home is not a responsible or fully informed decision.  What about their care?  What does Mom do for herself and what does she need help doing?  What is her diagnosis?  What is her future health outlook?  Financially, what considerations do we need to take into account?  Can you act for Mom under a good, strong Power of Attorney? And, the decision that more often than not gets forgotten, “what does Mom want?”

Homecare – Often, as our mobility decreases, our ability to safely bathe decreases, or maybe when our sight decreases, and help coming into the home is an option to stay in our own homes longer.  Sometimes it is only a few hours a week or if needed, could be more.

We normally recommend that you hire a home care “agency” for help rather than pay the “neighbor’s sister’s daughter” cash. Let the agency worry about the legalities with worker’s comp and the IRS while you relax and enjoy your life. Additionally, if you are ever in a position to apply for Medicaid, you will run into problems paying individuals in the absence of a contract. Medicaid generally will call any payments made in the absence of a formal employment contract gifts and thereby disqualifying you from Medicaid despite what may have really happened.

Independent Living – Often people become isolated in their home and are in need of social interaction and stimulation but they really don’t need a lot of help. There are several facilities in the area that have independent living apartments in a community setting. Some of these facilities are HUD qualified to get some help in paying and others are strictly private pay. You should tour facilities now in order to know your options.

Assisted Living – This is for when you need a little more assistance with your daily activities of living.  You have your own apartment but in a community with assistance. Assisted living is generally private pay. There are some area facilities that accept Medicaid. VA benefits can also be very helpful in paying for assisted living costs for veterans and their surviving spouses.  Many Long Term Care insurance policies have assisted living benefits, but not all.  If you have a long term care policy, now is the time to discuss it in detail with
your agent.

Supportive Living – Supportive living is a classification of facilities in Illinois only.  Supportive living facilities are assisted living facilities that will accept Medicaid. They accept private pay and also currently qualify for VA expense as well. VA benefits can help with the cost of Supportive Living.

Nursing Home – Nursing homes are the types of facilities with which most people are familiar. Historically when you could no longer live in your own home, it was Zero to 100 and straight to a nursing home. That is no longer the case as I have discussed above. However, when the time comes that your care does require a nursing home, there are options.

Some nursing facilities are strictly private pay only.  Most of the nursing homes in the Quad City area have beds that are licensed as private pay, some that are Medicare only and some that are Medicaid only and some that are dual certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.  There may even be a difference between the beds in the same room!  Not all facilities are the same and it is important to know your options when that time comes

Over 70% of nursing home residents across the nation need to access Long Term Care Medicaid to pay for their care. That is a staggering statistic!  Medicaid has volumes of rules and regulations and they are difficult to navigate. The rules for long term care Medicaid (or Institutional Medicaid) are different than rules for other types of Medicaid.  In this area, we have two states from which to choose. The rules are very different in Iowa than in Illinois.  It is important that you consult with someone fluent with years of experience in Medicaid rules when considering Medicaid.  We often liken it to a maze built on a minefield.  Navigating Medicaid is not for the faint of heart.

You have options. It is important that you know your options and for you talk to an experienced person in the field of senior issues. GolderCare offer a FREE one-hour Senior Service Consultations to get you started with some general information to point you in the right direction. GolderCare can also do in-depth, personalized consultations with you and your family to discuss housing options and strategies specific to your individual situation.

To learn more about making decisions on levels of care, how to pay for it, and what  you can do to plan for the future, please join us for our May Senior Empowerment Series – Leaving Home Doesn’t Have to Mean Nursing Home. Your Long-Term Care journey begins with a single step. Knowing what next step is appropriate for the needed level of care is an important decision. There are two options to attend. These events are free and open to the public.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 10 AM – GolderCare Offices,
  1900 State Street, Bettendorf
• Wednesday, May 15 at 10 AM – Moline Public Library, 3210 41st Street, Moline

Kathy Nitz is the Lead Benefits Advocate for GolderCare Solutions. She uses her wealth of knowledge and experience in benefits planning to advocate for seniors and those who are disabled. To reach Kathy or learn more about GolderCare visit www.goldercare.com or call 309-764-2273.