Choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community
If you're considering a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) as a senior living option for you or your loved one, how can you be sure when you've found the right one? Knowing what criteria to look for can make your search go a lot smoother and a lot less nerve-wrecking. [...]
Are You Really Ready to Leave the Nursing Home?
Leaving a nursing home may feel like the right thing to do at the time, but it's not a good move for everyone. The AARP has some good questions you should ask yourself before you move out of the nursing home. Are you ready and able to live independently? Can [...]
CRCC Contracts – A Brief Overview
When you enter a continuing care retirement community (CRCC), you will be asked to sign an agreement. Review the contract with an elder law attorney before you sign it to make sure all pertinent stipulations are covered. CCRC contracts should cover: Fees Health care services covered Insurance requirements Refunds and [...]
Assisted Living Abuse
Residents in assisted living facilities (ALFs) generally require less care and are typically more independent than nursing home residents. However, they share one sobering reality. Both groups are susceptible to potential abuse from staff or family members. Assisted living abuse may occur in the form of neglect or physical, psychological, [...]
Adult Children May Have to Pay Their Parents’ Nursing Home Bills
Depending on where you live, you may have to pay your parent's nursing home bills if he or she is unable to pay them. Many states now enforce “filial responsibility” or “filial support” laws that are based on an old principle that makes adult children morally obligated to obey, respect [...]
Medicare’s Home Health Benefit
If you receive Medicare and require home health services, you may qualify for Medicare's home health benefit. Medicare's home health benefit will cover the costs for home health your services if: You are under the care of a doctor Your doctor ordered and certified that you need home health services [...]
Preventing Medicaid Fraud
Medicare fraud occurs when a healthcare provider purposely files a claim for services Medicare does not cover. For example: A medical equipment vendor bills Medicare for equipment a patient never receives or a doctor bills Medicare for services or tests that were never performed. Using someone else's Medicare card to [...]
Representative Payees – An Overview
If you are the caretaker of a Social Security recipient who is incapable of handling his or her money, you can ask the Social Security Administration (SSA) to designate you as a representative payee. A representative payee has the responsibility and authority to manage another person's Social Security benefits. It [...]