Savvy Senior: Finding money for long-term care | Columns
Question: What resources can you refer me to for long- term care financial help? My 84-year-old mother needs assisted living or nursing home care , but we don’t have a lot of money and she doesn’t have long- term care insurance . — Searching Daughter Answer: If your mother does not have a long- term care insurance policy , depending on her circumstances, here are several sources you should check into that can help pay for her care. Latest Video The first thing you need to understand is that Medicare — the government health insurance program for seniors 65 and older and those with disabilities — does not cover long-term care, which includes nursing home care , the costs of assisted living facilities and home aide services , unless your mom is receiving skilled nursing or therapy services. It only provides limited short-term coverage, up to 100 days for skilled nursing or rehabilitation services after a hospital stay. However, Medicaid — the joint federal and st...