Elder Law Attorney Helps with Long Term Care Planning
As an Elder Law Attorney we understand that one of the greatest concerns of seniors and their families is the cost of long term care, especially the cost of nursing home care. Long term care refers to a range of services necessary to meet your personal needs. Most long term care is not medical care, but assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life or activities of daily living (ADL’s). This type of assistance is generally referred to as Custodial Care.
Activities of Daily Living include:
- bathing
- dressing
- grooming
- eating
- mobility
- toileting
Long Term care can include:
- in home health care
- residence in an assisted-living facility
- nursing home care
Long Term Care Costs
All forms of long-term care are expensive. In-home care organizations generally charge from $20 to $30 per hour depending on the extent of services needed. Care for 6 hours per day at $25 per hour will result
in a monthly cost of $4,500. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in an assisted living facility in the Cleveland area is $4,940 per month, and the average cost of a nursing home is $8,159 per month.*
One year in a nursing home can easily consume over $95,000. About half of all elderly will spend some time in a nursing home before death. The median length of stay in a nursing home is 2 and ½ years.
*2022 Genworth Financial cost of care survey
Elder Law Attorney to Explain Medicare, Medicaid and Long Term Care Planning
Medicare
Medicare does not cover most long-term care services. Medicare will cover only 100 days of a nursing home rehabilitation stay. The fi rst 20 days are paid completely by Medicare. Days 21 through 100 require a co-pay of $200.00 per day. In order to qualify for Medicare coverage, a person must be hospitalized 3 full days prior to entering the nursing home. Medicare coverage will only apply if you require skilled nursing care. Custodial care does not qualify
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint program of the federal and state governments that will cover the long-term care costs of those who have little or no money. Medicaid currently covers more than 60% of all nursing home residents. However, most seniors are forced to spend all of their money paying for their care before they can qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid’s financial standards are very strict:
- A single person may own assets worth no more than $2,000.
- The spouse of a Medicaid applicant may keep only one-half of the couple’s assets, up to a maximum of $148,620.
Many seniors attempt to qualify for Medicaid by gifting their assets to their children. However, any gifts given within the five years prior to submitting a Medicaid application will cause a penalty, disqualifying
the applicant for long-term care. With proper legal planning, however, it is possible for a person to preserve a significant amount of assets for their family and still qualify for Medicaid.
Related Blog Posts Include:
Advanced Planning for Long-Term Care Can Protect Assets from Medicaid
Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care?
Prepare for Medicaid with These Estate Planning Tips
Avoid Tax & Medicaid Consequences: 6 Tips to Consider When Gifting to Grandchildren
Don’t Give Your Home to Your Children to Protect it from Medicaid
Understanding Long-Term Care
Don’t lose your home and hard-earned savings to the costs of long-term care. Call Joseph Motta at 440-930-2826 and schedule a free personal consultation to determine what planning options may be available for you.
Click here to read the Long-Term Care Guide
Ohio Medicaid Guide
Use this guide for an overview of Ohio’s Medicaid program. Call Joseph Motta at 440-930-2826 and schedule a free personal consultation to determine what planning options may be available for you.
Leave a Legacy, Not a Predicament
Joseph L. Motta Co., LPA is devoted to protecting families like yours from life’s most challenging situations. Our goal is to provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have planned your affairs so as to avoid the financial disruptions that often accompany death or incapacity. Each client receives our personal attention because we want you to feel comfortable discussing issues that can be emotionally difficult to address. We are committed to putting our knowledge and expertise to work in order to provide you with the best advice on how to protect the ones you love. We help you to leave a legacy, not a predicament.