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of daily living. This benefit pays for home care, assisted living, and adult foster care expenses, where traditionally, people would have to go into a nursing home to have the government (Medicaid) help pay for their care. This benefit is a great alternative to Medicaid or even long-termcare insurance (for those who are not insurable). The Housebound benefit is another option for Veterans and is based on a higher income limit. You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability and have a medical need for supervision or assistance due to the disability. You can not receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by mail, or in person. If you%u2019re in a nursing home, you%u2019ll also need to fill out a Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance (VA Form 21-0779).To visit in-person, the closest site in our region is the VA Medical Center at: 5500 Armstrong Road, Building 07, Room 12, Battle Creek, MI, 49037.Covering Costs for Independent Living Options %u2013 Independent Living Communities are generally private-pay and may include moving to a facility that targets activities and services to support aging adults or possibly a retirement community. Rates can begin at $3,000 for a studio and may be closer to $5,000 for a one-bedroom. Some people can afford to pay fees from their own income and savings. Others may choose to sell their home, sign a reverse mortgage, sell other assets, or access dollars from investments. For low to moderate income levels subsidized housing is another option, which restricts rent to no more than 30% of income. See the combined list of independent communities on page 16.Other programs offer choices that allow individuals to live independently while receiving nursing facility level of care in their home or in a community setting in Michigan. Meeting income and asset criteria means no cost for covered services.MI Coordinated Health, or MICH, is health plan coverage for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Through the Home and CommunityBased Services (HCBS) Waiver, MICH enrollees who require a Nursing Home Level of Care but prefer to live in the community can receive assistance in their own homes or residential settings rather than in institutional settings like nursing homes. Each enrollee can receive the basic services Michigan Medicaid covers, care coordination, and one or more of the following services in the waiver in order to remain living at home: Adaptive medical equipment and supplies; adult day health (adult day care); assistive technology; chore services; environmental modifications; expanded community living supports (ECLS); Fiscal intermediary; home delivered meals; individualized goods and services; non-medical transportation; personal emergency response systems (PERS); preventive nursing services; private duty nursing; respite services; or vehicle modifications. One program run by Michigan Medicaid is the MI Choice Waiver Program. Through waiver, eligible adults who meet income and asset criteria can receive Medicaid-covered services like those provided by nursing homes but can stay in their own home or another residential setting. Each qualified participant can receive the basic services Michigan Medicaid covers, supports coordination, as well as additional services. The participant has greater choice in care they want. Each participant may receive one or more of the following services in the waiver: Adult day health (adult day care); chore services; community health worker; community living supports; community transportation; counseling; environmental accessibility adaptations; fiscal intermediary; goods and services; home delivered meals; nursing services; personal emergency response systemsCONTINUEDThe challenge is covering the cost for care. Preparation is key. In this case, it is never too early to prepare.SENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 202631