Charging an Estate for Eldercare
- 1). Call State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in your state for guidance from qualified professionals. This federally funded program helps seniors of all financial classes to get the eldercare they need while providing information on protecting or utilizing the estate for eldercare.
- 2). Keep all of your appointments with SHIP and their referrals. Bring financial and medical records to all appointments, and keep a written log of contacts and other important information.
- 3). Apply for extra help through the state's Medicaid program. If you qualify, Medicaid will pay for eldercare and place a lien on the home to ensure repayment of incurred costs under the estate recovery rules.
- 4). Do not take out a loan or sell your estate to pay for eldercare. Most nursing homes take Medicaid, and the state's insurance program will get the eldercare at far lower costs than those that pay for eldercare on their own.
- 5). Talk with the family and come to a compromise for eldercare. Be sure family members are aware of the terms and conditions before applying for extra help and accepting those conditions.
- 6). Contact a nursing home litigation attorney for unresolved family conflict over the estate. A lawyer will help protect the elder and the family's needs if there is unresolved conflict, but keep in mind that SHIP is a free program that helps with these circumstances and the lawyer's high fees could further the financial burden already incurred on the estate.
- 7). Seek alternatives for eldercare to keep costs lower. Try hospice or in-home eldercare instead of choosing an option like a nursing home, and allow a social worker to help coordinate and plan eldercare.
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