The cost of senior care is prohibitive for many older Americans. Nursing home care or a stay in an assisted living facility has become necessary for maintaining their medical needs and quality of life. But they’re unable to afford the cost of such expensive facilities. To ensure financial assistance in your senior years, proper planning is essential. There are various resources seniors can use to help defray the expenses of senior care.
Medicare Benefits
Medicare is usually available for short-term stays in nursing homes and transitional care facilities. Medicare benefits have a time limit; it is designed to provide temporary assistance until you’re able to get back on your feet and back in your own home. However, they can be useful in providing the necessary interim financing, until other options are available.
Medicaid
For seniors with restricted income and few assets, Medicaid is the ideal option for paying nursing homes, home care or other forms of assisted living. Medicaid is also available for individuals who have income or assets that exceed the limits. This additional income has to be sent to a trust that is dedicated specifically to their personal care. You may want to consult a Medicaid expert in your state to find out more about your eligibility.
Veterans Programs
If you or your spouse served as a member of the armed forces, there are resources in place that can help provide for the later days of your life. Some veterans benefits, like the Aid & Attendance Housebound benefits, come with a higher asset and income limit than many other programs. Contacting your local Veterans Office is the best way to get started on this journey, as the people there will be able to help you get the information you need. If you are aware that benefits due to you are being denied, be persistent in making calls till you find the answers you seek.
Non-Medicaid Government Assistance
Many states offer their own non-Medicaid assistance to help seniors pay for their nursing home care. These programs may include managed long-term care waivers, assisted living programs, and many more. Other programs provide in-home assistance to elderly individuals who are hoping to live in their own homes for as long as possible. Still others provide specific care for those with dementia, like Alzheimer’s patients.
Non-Profit Assistance
There are many non-profit programs that offer assistance in paying for the medical care of individuals who need nursing homes or assisted living care. Non-profit nursing homes usually offer paid care on a sliding scale based on income and asset ratios.
Private Health Insurance
Most private health insurance plans don’t automatically include the cost of long-term medical care. With careful forethought and planning, however, you can acquire a rider for your policy that will help cover the cost of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The key to this type of insurance is to take the policy well before you really need it.
Life Insurance
When you take out a life insurance policy, you usually intend to use it to help cover those final expenses that you don’t want to burden your loved ones with. Some life insurance policies, however, come with an Accelerated Death Benefits rider that can be used before you die. Choosing a policy that will pay out either: A) a portion of your death benefits or, B) the full amount of the policy, will allow you to use those funds to offset the cost of long-term care.
Annuities
Annuities are a great source of income during those senior days. Even better, you can sometimes withdraw money tax-free from the annuity to help pay for long-term care. There are several types of annuities, and in general, the holder of the annuity can choose to make a single payment or a series of payments to the insurance company.
Long-Term Care Insurance
This very specific type of insurance is designed to pay for long-term care as you get older. This coverage can be purchased as a separate LTCI policy or be added as a rider on your existing life insurance policy. The earlier you add this rider to your insurance policy, the less expensive it will be. But, not all LTCI policies are created equal, so be sure to check out all the fine print to ensure that the plan fits your needs.
Bridge Loans
Bridge loans are designed to provide one lump sum immediately when you need it. As a long-term care payment option, bridge loans are only efficient if you anticipate a large source of income — for example, the sale of your home, to cover the cost in the near future.
Reverse Mortgage
A reverse mortgage allows you to draw money out of your house value without having to sell it outright. This is a great way to pay for short-term care in a nursing home or assisted living facility. This method also allows you to continue to draw on that money long-term, giving you a source of income throughout the rest of your life.
Private Payment
Private payment for senior living choices like a quality nursing home is the best option for many individuals. It allows you to choose your nursing home based on your needs rather than leaving it to the mercy of programs like Medicare, Medicaid, or any other organization.
No one really wants to think about the need for long-term care, either for themselves or for a loved one. Unfortunately, as life expectancy increases, the need for long-term care goes up along with it. Planning wisely for future medical needs is a critical part of ensuring that both you and your loved one are well cared for, when that time eventually arrives.
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