Page 25 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2023 - 30-04

Ask the
Senior Times - April 2023
Page 25
ATTORNEY
FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR VIST www.laurelsobedford.com
HOME CARE
QUESTION: I don’t want to go into a long-term care facility. Are there options to stay at home and receive care? Do I have to pay for home care or will my Medicare pay for it?
individual is allowed to have $2,000
in countable assets and must require the level of care provided in a nurs- ing home facility. A married couple is allowed to keep more countable assets. Under the PACE program, the income limit is also $2,742 month but may be more. An individual is allowed to have $2,000 in countable assets and must require the level of care provided in a nursing home facility. I would advise you to contact CareWell Services or your Area Agency on Aging, or the PACE program in your area to confirm income limits.
ANSWER: Of all of the clients I have seen in the last 23 years regarding long-term care, all of them want to stay at home. It’s just natural. Luckily, there are many more options these days to stay at home and receive help. However, Medicare will not pay for long-term care. They may pay for assistance in your home for a short period of time, but they will not pay for anything long-term. Here are a few options available:
Resources: CareWell Services is
the Area Agency on Aging for Barry and Calhoun Counties. It is a State of Michigan agency that can assist you
in home care, including what I spoke
of above. You can also call your local Senior Services or millage program. They also can help you with benefits and home care. And don’t forget the Veterans Association. If you are a Veteran, you are entitled to benefits. You earned them. Contact you local VA and see what they can do for you. They also have home care programs and a program called Aid and Attendance, which will provide monthly income for you to pay for home care.
Michael Walling, Special to Senior Times
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MICHAEL B. WALLING
Elder Law Attorney
Author of "Ask the Attorney"
Home Care: There are many home care agencies out there that will pro- vide care for you in your home from companionship to skilled care. During COVID, home health care workers were severely restricted from going into homes. However, as COVID moves more and more behind us, workers are coming back and are able to help you in your home. I believe the cost is anywhere from $16 hour up to $25 an hour depending on the level of care you need. That sounds expensive but remember, they don’t necessar-
As always, I would advise you
to see an attorney that specializes in Medicaid for long-term care regarding Medicaid eligibility. Pre-planning can allow you to keep many more assets than you could without it.
MICHAEL B. WALLING, PLC
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ily need to be there all day or night. Maybe you just need help bathing, etc. In that case, maybe you only need help a few hours a week. Just make sure
the company you hire is bonded and insured. Also, if you are going to try
to pay through Medicare/Medicaid, the company must be certified to do so.
Michael B. Walling is an Elder
Law attorney with an advance Master of Laws degree. He manages the
Elder Law Center and the law firm of Michael B. Walling, PLC. Mr. Walling is also a part-time Professor at Western Michigan University. Please email any questions you would like addressed to: info@wallingplc.com. This column is intended for general information pur- poses only and should not be consid- ered as legal advice to any particular person.
Medicaid for home care: There are two programs that will pay for home care for you through the Medicaid program. They are the MI Choice Waiver Program and PACE. Under
the MI Choice Waiver program, there is an income limit for the person applying to receive care. In 2023 the income limit is $2,742 per month. An
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