Jun
27
Selecting a Kansas or Missouri Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility
Filed Under Kansas City Assisted Living, Kansas and Missouri Nursing Homes | 2 Comments
When someone is faced with the overwhelming job of finding a nursing home for a loved one in Kansas or Missouri, the question often asked is, “Where do I begin?” Although this is a job that no one wants to do, it can be done with forethought and confidence that the best decision was made for everyone involved.
When nursing home placement in Kansas City or surrounding areas is necessary, it is crucial that the family and/or potential resident decide what’s most important to them in looking for a facility. It is important that the resident’s needs and wants be included in the evaluation. Things such as location of the facility, if a special care unit is necessary and type of payer source should be considered when beginning this process.
Apr
21
Get Good Nursing Home Care in Kansas and Missouri
Filed Under Kansas and Missouri Nursing Homes | 2 Comments
Know the signs to watch for and the questions to ask
Placing a loved one in a long-term care facility is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. Along with the often overwhelming sense of guilt, there are often an overwhelming number of choices. So, how do you find the best facility for your loved one? [Continue Reading...]
Dec
26
A Power of Attorney is one of the most important legal documents a person can have. Without a comprehensive power of attorney, many people are unable to handle their loved ones financial matters nor make health care decisions without seeking court intervention (Guardianship and/or Conservatorship). We often have clients come into our office assuming that just because their assets are titled jointly with their spouse, parent or partner, that they are able to liquidate accounts to pay bills, hire attorneys, sell their jointly titled real estate, etc. Unfortunately, that isn’t that case. In fact, we recently had a client come into our office who had a jointly titled investment account with his wife whom had just entered a nursing home. Without going into great detail, he did not have a power of attorney for his wife and he was unable to transfer the assets into his name to do some Medicaid planning. Instead, he had to petition the court to become his wife’s Conservator and spent tens of thousands of dollars on her nursing home care when he could have, had she had a proper power of attorney, transferred the account into his name, alone, purchased an annuity for himself and qualified her for Medicaid immediately. [Continue Reading...]
Dec
23
Personal Care Contracts
Filed Under Kansas and Missouri Medicaid, Kansas and Missouri Nursing Homes | Leave a Comment
Millions of Americans are currently caring for an elderly family member or friend, without receiving compensation. Depending on the circumstances, however, it may actually be beneficial for both parties to enter into a care contract wherein the caregiver accepts payment for the care they are providing their loved one and also formally assumes responsibility for that care.
For loved ones still at home
If the loved one you are caring for reaches a point where nursing home placement is the only option, all of their money will be considered available to pay for their care at the nursing home and they will not be eligible for Medicaid assistance until all of their assets have been depleted. Certainly the care they were provided by you, while they remained in the community, is just as valuable to them and worthy of payment as that they will be provided in the nursing home. With a care contract in place, they can pay their caregiver, and every penny spent will count towards their “Medicaid spend down” should they apply for benefits.
It is important to note that without a proper contract in place, Medicaid will assume the money paid is a “gift” or a “transfer of assets” and will impose penalties resulting in ineligibility for Medicaid benefits. [Continue Reading...]