Combating dehydration is essential at all times of the year, but it is often at the forefront of caregivers’ minds during the hot and humid summer months. Detecting dehydration in an elderly loved one can be difficult, since symptoms can range in severity and may be mis-categorized as symptoms of chronic disease. Signs include dizziness, […]
Here in the great state of Connecticut, there have been several new communities opening and marketed to the older adult population. Communities designated as “Independent Living” (IL) and “Assisted Living” (AL) can be very successful in combating the negative stigma associated with getting older and going into “the home.” They are often very welcoming, well […]
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated the way it determines eligibility for VA health care benefits, making it easier for many veterans to get access to the benefits. The VA will no longer use the veteran’s net worth as a factor to determine eligibility and copayments. Previously, veterans who did not fit into […]
In most states, transferring your house to your children (or someone else) may lead to a Medicaid penalty period, which would make you ineligible for Medicaid for a period of time. However, there are circumstances in which transferring a house will not result in a penalty period. One of those circumstances is if the Medicaid applicant transfers […]
Medicaid’s RulesIn order to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot have recently transferred assets. Congress does not want you to move into a nursing home on Monday, give all your money to your children (or whomever) on Tuesday, and qualify for Medicaid on Wednesday. So it has imposed a penalty on people who transfer assets […]
For most people, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning instrument available — even more useful than a will. A power of attorney allows a person you appoint — your “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” — to act in place of you – the “principal” — for financial purposes when and if you […]
There is currently proposed legislation being considered by Congress that would make an important change to the Medicaid income rules for married couples. Specifically, if H.R. 1771 (114th Congress) is enacted into law, it would mean that all income derived from certain annuities, whether payments are made solely to the community spouse or paid to […]
For many couples, it seems quite natural that sooner or later they will want to legally cement their relationship by getting married. Whether or not that couple attaches a particular religious or cultural significance to the act of getting married, it is a fact that our society recognizes a marriage as a de facto unification […]
The growing number of older adults nationally has contributed to significant growth in the home care industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a large growth rate in the jobs of home health and personal care aides. It seems as though employer agencies of these aides are simply everywhere you turn. This blog […]