Long-Term Care : How to Plan and Pay for It

by Matthews, Joseph L.

• ISBN13: 9781413305210
• ISBN10: 1413305210
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-30
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

Figure out what kind of care you need and how to make it affordable.

Author Biography

Joseph L. Matthews, Attorney Joseph Matthews has been an attorney since 1971, and taught at the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. He has for many years been involved in matters relating to seniors, and is the author of Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions, as well as How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim. He lives in San Francisco, CA.

Table of Contents

Introduction
What Is Long-Term Care?	3	(4)
Threshold Issues of Long-Term Care	7	(1)
How This Book Can Help	8	(5)
Making Decisions About Long-Term Care
Getting Started	13	(6)
Make a Realistic Family Commitment	19	(2)
What Can You Afford?	21	(6)
Geriatric Care Managers	27	(3)
Other Legal and Financial Matters	30	(6)
At-Home Care
What Is Home Care?	36	(4)
How to Find Home Care Services	40	(4)
Services Provided	44	(3)
Kinds of Providers	47	(4)
What to Look For	51	(4)
Getting Started	55	(3)
Costs of Home Care	58	(3)
Financing Home Care Through Reverse Mortgages	61	(5)
Cashing In a Life Insurance Policy	66	(2)
Supplements to Home Care	68	(9)
Organized Senior Residences
Independent Living	77	(11)
Assisted Living	88	(12)
Combination Residential Facilities	100	(12)
Long-Term Care Facilities
Levels of Care	112	(5)
Choosing the Right Facility	117	(20)
Your Written Contract	137	(6)
Care for Elders With Alzheimer's Disease
The Symptoms and Stages of Alzheimer's	143	(5)
Home Care for Alzheimer's	148	(8)
Residential Care Facilities for Alzheimer's	156	(9)
Hospice Care
Medicare Eligibility for Hospice Care	165	(4)
Services Provided by Hospice	169	(3)
How Hospice Operates	172	(4)
Payment for Hospice Care	176	(5)
Medicare and Veterans' Benefits
Medicare Coverage for Long-Term Care	181	(8)
Veterans' Benefits for Long-Term Care	189	(7)
Medicaid Coverage for Long-Term Care
Eligibility for Medicaid	196	(9)
What Medicaid Pays For	205	(4)
Finding Out About Medicaid in Your State	209	(2)
If You Are Denied Medicaid Coverage	211	(3)
Medicaid and Asset Protection
Medicaid Rules on Transfer of Assets	214	(6)
Strategies to Protect Your Assets	220	(14)
Protecting Choices About Medical Care and Finances
Health Care Decisions	234	(13)
Financial Decisions	247	(6)
Guardianships and Conservatorships	253	(6)
Long-Term Care Insurance
Risks and Benefits	259	(6)
Warnings About Insurance Practices	265	(5)
Extent of Coverage	270	(4)
Coverage Conditions and Exclusions	274	(5)
Premiums	279	(5)
Benefit Amounts	284	(5)
Refund Provisions	289	(3)
Elder Fraud
Why Elders Are Targets	292	(2)
Who Commits Elder Fraud	294	(13)
Elder Frauds	307	(14)
Where to Get Help	321	(7)
Appendix: Resource Directory
Aging, State Agencies	328	(7)
Alzheimer's Disease Organizations	335	(1)
Caregiver Support Groups	335	(1)
Home Care, Community Programs, and Senior Residences	336	(9)
National Organizations	336	(2)
State Associations	338	(7)
Hospice Organizations	345	(5)
State Hospice Organizations	345	(5)
Insurance---Long-Term Care	350	(1)
State Departments of Insurance	350	(1)
State Agencies on Aging	350	(1)
Information About LTC Policies	350	(1)
Legal Assistance	350	(1)
Licensing and Certification	351	(8)
Nursing Facility License and Certification Offices	351	(8)
Medicaid Assistance	359	(1)
Nursing Facility and Alternative Residence Organizations	360	(1)
Ombudsman Offices	361	(1)
Reverse Mortgage and Home Equity Conversion Assistance	361	(1)
Viatical Settlement Assistance	362
Index