Find Extra Funding To Help Pay for Senior Care
Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC
Wednesday September 19, 2007
Sometimes the largest barrier to getting more help for a senior is the cost of the assistance. Seniors are reluctant to spend money on additional services when they are on a fixed income. Helping them find affordable alternatives and even extra funds to pay for additional care can give them a safe home. Involving the senior’s family is important in planning for financial decisions to assist with them with sometimes-complex requirements.
Some new and underutilized programs:
Veterans Aid and Attendance: Veterans and Surviving spouses of Veterans that served during specific war-time periods (such as World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam) who are receiving non-medical or medical home care or living in an Assisted Living or even a Retirement Community may qualify for funds. Funding amount ranges from $21,612 to $10,940 annually per household! A recent study showed that only 25% of eligible veterans and only 17% of eligible widows participate in the program. Contact pat@paxem.com for forms and more information on how to apply.
Money Follows the Person. It is possible that you can move out of the “Nursing Home” after a lengthy stay. A new pilot program provides funds that help nursing home residents relocate back to independent living. The funds can be used to pay for a senior moving service such as www.paxem.com, buy furniture/appliances, home modification, personal caregivers even establish funds for a security deposit and first months rent.
Reverse Mortgages. Having a desire to stay at home includes persons who may have equity in their home but poor cash flow on a fixed income to pay for additional care. Older adults over 62 can convert equity into cash to cover home modification or any use the older adult wishes to enhance their life. The program is regulated and a viable option for many seniors. kittywatson@kittywatson.com a Senior Reverse Mortgage Specialist is a great resource for more information.
Helping a family that does not have a plan is a difficult situation for health care professionals. Help the family focus on what is needed for the next step. Organizations that provide free services such as www.ASilverConnection.com help match seniors and families to a variety of senior resources. They include care providers and senior housing alternatives.
Many other programs for specific concerns exist that can bring resources to the senior to help them stay at home or to move. Some additional examples include programs for seniors with income under $17,500 annually; Meals-on-Wheels, Community Care Program, Adult Day Care Programs and new this year funded Emergency Home Response. Contact www.ageoptions.org for more information on funds for home modifications that are being expanded as well as programs for higher incomes including Respite Care, benefit check up, enhanced volume phones and local transportation programs.
Encourage the family to seek out appropriate service providers to help them. Most adult caregivers feel guilty that they have to ask for help. If you are well informed, you have a better chance to reduce the stress in trying to find services for them. Keep in mind that most families are not familiar with the variety of services available to them.
Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC is an expert in Senior Housing and Care issues. She works as a RN Case Manager/Discharge Planner at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Hts, Il. She is a Board Member for the State of Illinois Department of Aging Older Adult Services Advisory Committee and Chair of Melissa Bean’s 8th District Senior Advisory Committee as Chair of Veterans issues for the 101st US Congress.
Pat provides volunteer marketing and education on the Veterans “AID and Attendance” program. An under utilized benefit for seniors and their widowed spouses that had served during wartime for the United States of America. She also provides consulting for Paxem,Inc a Senior Move Management company in Cary Illinois. Her contact email is pat@odeaevans.com.