After the active retirement years start to wane, life for seniors will take on a different complexion. Living assistance may be necessary, and there is a concept called “aging in place” that you should understand when you are looking ahead to the future.
Modification of Living Spaces
It can be difficult to accept the limitations that elders face, but it is simply part of life. If you accept the inevitability and embrace it, you can use aging in place concepts to maximize your comfort.
From an interior design perspective, various modifications can be made to facilitate aging in place. There is no one universal approach because people have different limitations. Your spaces will be custom-crafted to suit your specific needs.
The initial design will be based on the way you feel when the modifications are being made, and it will anticipate future needs. Designers use techniques that allow for the integration of ongoing adjustments to adapt to changing circumstances, so this is a fluid approach.
You may be surprised when you see all the different ways that relatively simple but intelligent upgrades can make your life a whole lot easier.
Hands-On Assistance
Aging in place is best accomplished with total family cooperation. If you are going to be receiving help from your children, you should get together and have some honest discussions.
In some cases, friends and extended relatives will be willing to lend a hand as well. You should open up about the areas where you need help and everyone that is involved can evaluate their ability to pitch in.
Of course, there are in-home health aides who can be engaged as well, and professional assistance may be needed at some point. You can expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of $80,000 a year for a full-time home health aide in Westport, CT, so these expenses are significant.
Unfortunately, Medicare will not cover in-home care, and it won’t pay for a stay in a nursing home.
Medicaid Waiver
Medicaid is another government health insurance program that will pay for custodial care for seniors. It is a need-based program, so you cannot qualify if you have more than $1,600 in countable assets.
As elder law attorneys, we have a thorough understanding of all the rules and regulations. We help people position their assets with future Medicaid eligibility in mind. It is possible to live comfortably, preserve your wealth, and be eligible for Medicaid if and when you need it.
Aside from the traditional Medicaid coverage, there is a Home and Community-Based Services Waiver program in Connecticut. It will pay for in-home care if you can gain eligibility.
Attend an Educational Event!
We go the extra mile to provide educational opportunities to our neighbors through the seminars that we offer on an ongoing basis. There is no charge to attend our events, but we ask that you register in advance so we can reserve your spot.
You can visit our Estate Planning and Elder Law Events Page to see the dates and obtain registration information on our upcoming estate planning seminars. We offer complimentary estate planning seminars in various locations all around Connecticut every month.
Need Help Now?
If you have already learned enough to know that it is time for you to work with a Glastonbury or Westport, CT elder law attorney to put a plan in place, we are here to help.
You can set up an appointment by calling us at 860-548-1000, and you can fill out our contact form if you would rather send us a message.
Mr. McCann is licensed to practice before the courts of the State of Connecticut. He is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.
Mr. McCann provides to his clients, trust and estate planning, and trust and estate administration services. Formerly, Mr. McCann was an adjunct professor of economics in the State of Connecticut Community College system, and a Commissioner of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals.