In this Elder Law Minute, Kaye DeSelms Dent explains the benefits of Medicaid and how DCEL can help you navigate financing skilled nursing home care.
Video Transcript:
One of the many things that we do here at Dent Coulson Elder law, is to help people, basically qualify for Medicaid assistance in the nursing home. Certainly a lot of people say to me, “well, I don’t want to be on Medicaid” but the fact of the matter is that the majority of people in skilled nursing care, do receive Medicaid assistance. It’s not something that’s shameful, it’s very common and it’s a fact that our government wants to make sure that people get they care they need, without becoming completely destitute. We don’t want our elderly people living on the streets.
If you are married, your spouse can probably pretty easily qualify for that assistance in such a way that you can still live in a reasonable comfort, in your own home, and the Medicaid laws are actually set up to prevent the spouse of people in skilled nursing facilities from becoming impoverished.
There are a lot of very complicated rules to address these situations and that’s why many people do seek the assistance of qualified elder law attorneys to help them through this journey and understanding the financial aspects of it.
We are certainly happy to help anyone whose spouse is facing nursing home care or even someone possibly whose spouse has been in the nursing home for some time. It’s seldom too late to do anything as long as you’ve prepared properly so as people age, it’s a good idea regardless to consult with an elder law attorney, and make a plan for that possibility, that one or both spouses could need nursing home care.
The Medicaid laws, allow a spouse who stays at home to retain usually in most states, the home, a car, prepaid funeral plans if they’re done properly and potentially some other assets as well as a minimum income. Those rules can vary from state to state so our Illinois clients may be dealing with different rules than our Missouri clients, but the fact of the matter is, that there is certainly more to financing skilled nursing care and understanding Medicaid rules that meets the eye and Wes and I here at Dent Coulson elder law are ready to help.
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“Your Trusted Advisor on the Elder Care Journey”
Dent-Coulson Elder Law is dedicated to providing families in the St. Louis area with their Elder Law needs. Our practice areas include Asset Preservation Planning, Veterans Benefits, Medicaid Eligibility, Alzheimer’s Planning, Special Needs Planning, Estate Planning and more. We understand the financial challenges you may face as you and your loved ones grow older. At Dent-Coulson Elder Law, our clients’ well-being is our number one priority. For immediate help, call (618) 632-7000 (IL) or (314) 567-9292 (MO), or Contact Us and we will get in touch as soon as possible.
