I cared and helped a friend for six months. Took her to Dr. appointments, administered IV antibiotics twice a day. She had an infection on her foot after surgery and the doctors were threatening amputation. She was evicted from her apartment, I found her a place to live, moved her belongings and continued to go to her home to administer antibiotics, take her to E.R. when needed, laboratories, and hospitals in and out. Can I claim mileage for all of this? I don't claim her as a dependent she is just a friend. She has very very low income. NOT Very smart
I think it's great and we need much more of it. I know my daughter pays out a lot for these items, but instead of paying each individually, she gives to me to pay for it. Guess that isn't too beneficial to her, so guess we need to change that as also we need to keep the mileage because she drives me to all appointments, hospital and Doctors, along with doing my grocery and other shopping needs. So many things, my electric bill from Oxygen concentrators running 24/7. Seems to me all these can be deducted, if known about. Keep up the good work, doesn't matter if you live in a subsidized home, or not. One question, I read once where the SS of the dependent doesn't count. Please update us on that. Thanks so much!!!!
I m wraps on my legs, three times a day, Medicare doesn't allow funding for these items. $1500.00 or more per year, if I could deduct, that would help as I can't work age 77, small SS any help?
I had spinal cord surgery in November of 2014 that left me paraplegic. I now need daily in-home health care and it is very costly. I need to find tax breaks wherever I can on medical expenses. Can anyone out there help me with some questions I have about this topic?
I am a senior (age 78). I have been on total disability (SSA) since age 44 due to a brain surgery, aneurysm, major stroke. Could not walk, talk, lost memory totally--even the names of my 3 sons. Recovered much, but balance and particularly memory remain very much severe. Past year severe difficulties with falling causing fracture to spine and compressed vertebrae, sprained knee, ankle injuries. # sons felt I should not live alone as there was no help available if needed quickly. Husband died 13 years ago. Tried living near sibling, no go, then with one of sons as available. Stairs at all 3 finally eliminated that. Now in assisted living. What deductions can be taken for that high expense and what paperwork necessary?
I'm clueless as to what I need to do to claim my mom as a dependent who started living with my husband and I as of January 2014. She owns nothing and only receives 650.00 dollars a month from Social Security. She also gets 40.00 a month in food stamps. We use her monthly income for her medications, clothing, and out of pocket expenses that Medicare and Medicaid does not pay for such as bathroom chairs, etc. My mom would be homeless if I or any of her other children had no taken her in at the age of 88. Please advise.
Louise210, if the money being used to private pay for your mom being in a memory care unit is from her money, it is a tax deduction on her taxes. If it is not her money, but yours it is not a tax deduction and is considered a gift and would be subject to gifting tax for the money above the allowable gifting for the year. I think you need to see a CPA who does taxes.
mcdona1, eligible for what? If they are being paid by the person they are caring for with a written contract, it might be a deduction, but I would ask a tax CPA first about it.
Great article. Thanks for the info, you made it easy to understand. BTW, if anyone needs to fill out a form 1040 Schedule A This site PDFfiller also has some tutorials on how to fill it out and a few related tax forms that you might find useful.
One of the major problems for nursing homes is finding well trained and careing staff. Most of the care falls in the hands of nurses aids who recieve minimal training and often continue to work when they are over retirement age and tired and cronically ill them selves. The good ones find a way to continue their training and go on to become first class nurses. Lack of supervision also plays a large part and this is frequently due to understaffing both due to cost cutting and difficulty finding qualified applicants. Also those dissatisfied with their job and working conditions will take every sick day available, often at very short notice which of course increases the work load on those who do show up. Many female CNAs are mothers who work the night shift so they can be home during the day and frequently get inadequate rest or have a second job. I am in no way excusing poor performance. It should never be tolerated. One LPN I know personally often has responsibility for 50 patients on her shift. It is a much as she can do to give medications to all those patients during her shift. if you think you elderly patient is difficult about their meds multiply that 50 times, The family has to be vigilant and continue to visit at all times of the day and lift up the bedclothes to see whats going on underneath. If you can't inspect the buttocks take a look at the heels and elbows. Most shifts change at 6-30 or 7 am. Plan a quick visit at that time. If the patient has not been left clean and dry by the night staff chances are they won't be checked again for a couple of hours. Another godd way of getting extra eyes on the patient is to call in Hospice assuming the paient has terminal condition and the home has a contract and you have a good hospice. I only have experience with one and an RN made a weekly visit at least and did a physical examination of the patient and read the record plus checked the medication. She also frequently attended planning meetings and of course was free to visit at any hour day or night. There is of course a lot more but the best advice is obtained from fellow caregivers. Don't always assume the worst if you find a loved on lying naked in a bed wearing a diaper. At the end of life people can change dramatically and that sweet old parent may rip off every piece of clothing put on and spit out every spoonful of food or pill put into their mouth. You have to decide then if you want them sedated and fed through a stomach tube or IV which will keep them alive But maybe it's better to ask for some sedation so they can at least be peaceful. It is not easy as every caregiver knows but those who loving take on the task will set an example to their own children who one day may he their caregivers. Love has a way of passing it on.
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What Medical Expenses Can Be Written off on Taxes?
Thanks so much!!!!
It is good to hear that you have recovered much. Your expenses for living in assisted living should be deductable as a medical expense.
Why are you doing your own taxes at 78? Wouldn't be easier to have a CPA or have your son have CPA to do them?
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=claiming+a+parent+as+a+dependent+on+taxes
Lack of supervision also plays a large part and this is frequently due to understaffing both due to cost cutting and difficulty finding qualified applicants.
Also those dissatisfied with their job and working conditions will take every sick day available, often at very short notice which of course increases the work load on those who do show up.
Many female CNAs are mothers who work the night shift so they can be home during the day and frequently get inadequate rest or have a second job.
I am in no way excusing poor performance. It should never be tolerated.
One LPN I know personally often has responsibility for 50 patients on her shift.
It is a much as she can do to give medications to all those patients during her shift. if you think you elderly patient is difficult about their meds multiply that 50 times,
The family has to be vigilant and continue to visit at all times of the day and lift up the bedclothes to see whats going on underneath. If you can't inspect the buttocks take a look at the heels and elbows. Most shifts change at 6-30 or 7 am. Plan a quick visit at that time. If the patient has not been left clean and dry by the night staff chances are they won't be checked again for a couple of hours.
Another godd way of getting extra eyes on the patient is to call in Hospice assuming the paient has terminal condition and the home has a contract and you have a good hospice. I only have experience with one and an RN made a weekly visit at least and did a physical examination of the patient and read the record plus checked the medication. She also frequently attended planning meetings and of course was free to visit at any hour day or night.
There is of course a lot more but the best advice is obtained from fellow caregivers.
Don't always assume the worst if you find a loved on lying naked in a bed wearing a diaper. At the end of life people can change dramatically and that sweet old parent may rip off every piece of clothing put on and spit out every spoonful of food or pill put into their mouth. You have to decide then if you want them sedated and fed through a stomach tube or IV which will keep them alive But maybe it's better to ask for some sedation so they can at least be peaceful.
It is not easy as every caregiver knows but those who loving take on the task will set an example to their own children who one day may he their caregivers. Love has a way of passing it on.