Money & Legal : Paying for Care

Where the Presidential Candidates Stand on Issues That Affect Caregivers Most
A side-by-side comparison of John McCain and Barack Obama on topics that affect people caring for aging parents.

Cost of Caring for Aging Parents Could be Next Financial Crisis
AgingCare survey finds that 63% of caregivers don’t have a plan to pay for their aging parent’s care.

Special Pension for Care of Vet’s and Their Spouses Is Often Overlooked
VA Improved Pension is a relatively unknown, but beneficial program for vets who served during times of war.

"Spending Down" to Medicaid: A Personal Journey
Some people have too much income and/or assets to qualify for Medicaid, so they must “spend down” or use up their own money to reach the eligibility levels.

Medicaid's 'Cash and Counseling' Allows Pay for Family Caregivers
Medicaid program enables elders in 18 states to pay family and friends for care.

Mom has Alzheimer’s and lives in a facility. My sister has power of attorney. Mom wants to gift $150,000 to grandkids rather than using it to pay for care. She worked all her life paying for Medicare. Shouldn't she be able to use it instead of her savings
This is a difficult dilemma, and one that many families are facing. The dilemma can often be avoided or mitigated with advance planning, but that doesn’t help in your case. Read Jon's full answer.

Is a Reverse Mortgage a good choice for seniors, or are there other options?
For some homeowners, a reverse mortgage may be the best way to provide income or pay off debts. However, senior homeowners do have other alternatives, which may make more sense than a reverse mortgage. Read Jon Beyrer's full answer.

What do I need to know to best manage the cost of care?
If the time, energy, and medical necessities of care make doing it yourself difficult or impossible, you will need to get help -- and help in this area can be expensive. Click to read Jon's full answer.