Caring for an ailing family member is difficult work, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be unpaid work. There are programs available that allow Medicaid recipients to hire family members as caregivers. All 50 states have programs that provide pay to family caregivers. The programs vary by state, but are generally available to Medicaid recipients, … Continue reading
Category: Trusts
Report Ranks States on Nursing Home Quality and Shows Families’ Conflicted Views
A new report that combines nursing home quality data with a survey of family members ranks the best and worst states for care and paints a picture of how Americans view nursing homes. The website Care.com analyzed Medicare’s nursing home ratings to identify the states with the best and worst overall nursing home quality ratings. Using Medicare’s … Continue reading
Medicaid Home Care
Traditionally, Medicaid has paid for long-term care in a nursing home, but because most individuals would rather be cared for at home and home care is cheaper, all 50 states now have Medicaid programs that offer at least some home care. In some states, even family members can get paid for providing care at home. … Continue reading
We’re pleased to announce that Suzy Nelson has joined the firm as an Associate Attorney.
Skipton Law is pleased to announce that Suzy Nelson has joined the firm as an associate. After graduating from Westminster College, Suzy went to the University of Missouri – Columbia Law School. Suzy’s wide array of experience includes clerkships with the Missouri Court of Appeals and Missouri Supreme Court, time in private practice, and experience … Continue reading
Costs of New Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Vary Considerably
We’ve all heard the advice “It pays to shop around,” but this has never been truer than with the current market for long-term care insurance. According to the latest industry figures, the spread between the lowest and highest cost for virtually identical coverage was as high as 243 percent. “This is the largest spread I … Continue reading
Last Year for Couples to Use ‘Claim Now, Claim More’ Later Social Security Strategy
This is the last year that spouses who are turning full retirement age can choose whether to take spousal benefits or to take benefits on their own record. The strategy, used by some couples to maximize their benefits, will not be available to people turning full retirement age after 2019. The claiming strategy — sometimes … Continue reading
Guns and Dementia: Dealing With A Loved One’s Firearms
Having a loved one with dementia can be scary, but if you add in a firearm, it can also get dangerous. To prevent harm to both the individual with dementia and others, it is important to plan ahead for how to deal with any weapons. Research shows that 45 percent of all adults aged 65 … Continue reading
Feds Release 2019 Guidelines Used to Protect the Spouses of Medicaid Applicants
In 2019, the spouse of a Medicaid recipient living in a nursing home (called the “community spouse”) may keep as much as $126,420 without jeopardizing the Medicaid eligibility of the spouse who is receiving long-term care. Called the “community spouse resource allowance,” this is the most that a state may allow a community spouse to … Continue reading
Understanding Medicare’s Hospice Benefit
Medicare’s hospice benefit covers any care that is reasonable and necessary for easing the course of a terminal illness. It is one of Medicare’s most comprehensive benefits and can be extremely helpful to both the terminally ill individual and his or her family, but it is little understood and underutilized. Understanding what is offered ahead of … Continue reading
The Best and Worst States for Protection Against Elder Abuse
The older the population gets, the greater the potential for elder abuse. States have laws in place designed to combat elder abuse, but some states are doing a better job than others. The consumer finance website WalletHub researched the protections in place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine which states have the … Continue reading