The Pros And Cons Of Medicare Pace
Advantages of PACE program
- Its best for families who want their older adult to live at home instead of in a nursing home.
- Its a good option if the family can provide some care and wont need to rely on PACE for 24 hour care.
- Participants can un-enroll from PACE any time and go back to traditional Medicare and Medicaid programs.
- If an older adult needs nursing home care while enrolled in PACE, the program will pay for it.
Disadvantages of PACE program
Help For Seniors With Home Repairs Improvements And Modifications
The vast majority of seniors want to stay in their own homes as long as possible. But every home needs regular maintenance and upkeep, and as people age they may require adaptations in their homes to accommodate their changing needs. Finding the money for changes and repairs can be challenging, but there are many different senior assistance programs that can help.
Home Care Waiver Programs In Ohio
Waivers allow the state to cover services that arent usually available through Medicaid, including chore assistance, meals and other supports. The state must receive permission from the federal government to operate these programs that are intended to help beneficiaries avoid nursing home placement.
266-4346
Statewide
PASSPORT is a Medicaid waiver program that provides long-term services and supports to adults aged 60 or older who require nursing home care. Service plans are coordinated by a case manager and may include personal care, in-home care services, chore assistance, delivered meals, emergency response systems, transportation and daytime care. Theres also a self-directed option that lets you hire your own caregivers. Contact your local PASSPORT agency to apply.
644-6582
Statewide
Ohios Home Care Waiver helps disabled adults who require a nursing home level of care. Covered services include personal care, home care attendants, transportation, assistive technology, emergency responsive systems, home modifications and nursing. You can apply by completing a waiver application and mailing it to your countys Job and Family Services office.
895-7223
Cuyahoga County
221-1560
Statewide
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Making Financial Decisions For Long
Long-term care can be expensive. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on various services. How people pay for long-term care depends on their financial situation and the kinds of services they use. Often, they rely on a variety of payment sources, including:
- Personal funds, including pensions, savings, and income from stocks
- Government health insurance programs, such as Medicaid
- Private financing options, such as long-term care insurance
- Veterans benefits
- Services through the Older Americans Act
To find home-based services, contact Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit . You can also call your local Area Agency on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Center, department of human services or aging, or a social service agency.
How Do I Get Free Home Repairs From The Government
Yes, you can absolutely get free repairs from the government. But you should understand that the government has limited funds and it is not possible for them to help everyone altogether. The government does not provide you free money directly. If you are willing to get free money from the government then you have to apply in some government programs like Section 504 Home Repair Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and so on. These government assistance programs can be very helpful for you as it will not only offer you free money but also reduce your expenses in the future. The Section 504 Home Repair program offers you free money that can be used for repairs and modifications in your house as per your need. They also provide funds to install asbestos and black mold in the houses. Whereas, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program does not offer you free money but it helps you in reducing your energy bills. So, saving money on energy bills can also offer you some extra money which can be used for other purposes. So, if you are looking for free home repairs from the government then you should definitely submit your application in such government programs.
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Finding Affordable Home Care
There is a great deal of variation in the cost of home care, not just amongst the states, but also even in the same geographic area within a state. A recent study found that in most areas, there are care providers who charge as much as 50% below, or above, the average hourly rate for that area. This means the choice of care provider is a major factor in affording long term care at home. It is difficult and time consuming to contact each care provider in the area to determine their rates. For this reason, weve partnered to provide a free service that helps families find the most affordable home care in their area. Start here.
Loans Grants And Waivers
Another option is to get a federally insured loan to help with the cost of repairs and modifications. These low-interest loans are offered by private banks and lenders but insured by the Federal Housing Administration, making them more accessible to people who might not otherwise qualify for credit.
Additional help for seniors’ home repairs is available through the federal government’s Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program . The program provides loans of up to $20,000 and grants of up to $7,500 to fix safety and health hazards in the homes of very low-income seniors. To qualify, you must be over age 62, have an income below a certain limit, live in an eligible area, and be unable to get affordable credit anywhere else.
Home modification help for disabled seniors who served in the armed forces is also available. Disabled veterans may qualify for special grants to cover the cost of home modifications that are deemed to be medically necessary. For instance, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant can be used to pay for things like handrails and roll-in showers. The disability doesn’t have to be service-related, but a Veterans Affairs doctor must stipulate that the modification is necessary.
In many states, a low-income senior who qualifies for Medicaid can get Home & Community-Based Services waivers that cover the cost of home modifications that boost the person’s ability to live independently.
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How Much Does Pace Cost
If an older adult has Medicaid, they wont have to pay a monthly premium for the long-term care portion of the PACE benefit.
If they dont qualify for Medicaid, but do have Medicare, theyll pay a monthly premium to cover the long-term care portion of the PACE benefit and a premium for Medicare Part D drugs.
If an older adult doesnt have Medicare or Medicaid, they have the option to pay for the PACE monthly premium out of pocket.
With PACE, there are no co-pays, deductibles, or coverage gaps.
But seniors may have to pay out of pocket for any care received outside the program that isnt approved by their PACE healthcare team.
To qualify for PACE, a person must:
- Be age 55 or older
- Live in a PACE service area
- Be certified by the state to need nursing home level care
- Be able to live safely in their home with PACE services
For example, a typical PACE participant is an 80 year old woman with eight medical conditions who needs help with three activities of daily living. And almost half of PACE participants have been diagnosed with dementia.
The good news is that even though these older adults need a high level of care, more than 90% of PACE participants are able to continue to live in their homes with the programs support.
Home Repairs And Senior Safety
Most seniors require a number of services to age in place, and home maintenance is no exception.
One of the challenges of aging in place is that it becomes harder to afford home maintenance and repair services once you’re on a fixed income. For some repairs, the longer they are put off, the more expensive they become.
For example, clogged and broken gutters can cause costly roof damage. A neglected HVAC system could eventually require a complete replacement.
Neglected repairs can also create safety hazards in the home. What seems like a small roof leak can lead to mold and mildew growing in the house, which can be harmful for both the structure of the home and for the health of those living there. An A/C unit that is not cooling efficiently or is broken can be fatal during the scorching summer heat.
Aging in place safely might also require some home modifications. Installing grab bars in bathrooms or replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower may be necessary. Gripping things can become difficult for seniors with arthritis or other conditions. Even something as simple as replacing round doorknobs with lever knobs might be required. The inability to pay for these home repairs and modifications, major or minor, can lead to unsafe living conditions and costly injuries. So where can you find help for elderly people with home maintenance needs?
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Usda 504 Home Repair Program Loan Or Government Grant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture s Section 504 Home Repair program helps homeowners with very low incomes in rural areas. The program offers both loans and government grants, with slightly different usage requirements.
- USDA Loans can be used to repair, improve or modernize a low-income familys home
- USDA Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards .
To qualify, you must:
- Be the homeowner and occupy the house
- Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
- Have a family income thats 50% of the median income for your area
- For grant eligibility, must be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan
With the USDA Section 504 Home Repair program, you can receive a maximum loan of $20,000 or a maximum grant of $7,500. The loan can be repaid over 20 years, and the interest rate is fixed at 1%. Both loans and grants can be combined for a maximum of $27,500 in assistance funds. Certain rural home owners may even be eligible for higher loan or grant amounts.
If youre eligible for a grant, you wont have to pay back the funds as you will with a loan. However, if you receive a USDA 504 Grant and sell your house within three years, youll have to pay back the grant money recieved.
What Financial Help Is Available For Home Repairs
Home improvement loan programs help with home repairs and modifications. They are the most common type of government financial assistance for home improvements. Some programs are available nationwide, while others are only available at the state or county level.
Find Loans and Other Incentives
- Learn about the HUD Title 1 Property Improvement Loan program. Loan amount and repayment terms are limited based on the type of property.
- Find out about the 203 Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program. It lets homebuyers and homeowners borrow an extra $35,000 through their mortgage for home repairs and improvements.
- For programs in your community, contact:
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Fortune Magazine Best Place To Work In Aging Services
Senior Helpers® was named by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in the nation in the Aging Services category. Out of 50 companies featured on the Aging Services list, Senior Helpers ranked second among at-home care providers as well as the highest ranked national company in this category. At Senior Helpers, we are keenly aware that prospective employees have choices, and are humbled to be recognized by our team members nationwide for creating one of the best places to work in the industry.
Best Workplaces in the state of New York by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE
Check If You Qualify For Government
Your case manager will determine if you qualify.
If you dont qualify, you may be able to receive services through community agencies, which may require a co-payment.
You can arrange and pay for services through a private company. Your local Home and Community Care Support Services organization can help you find services in your community.
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Tax Credits And Deductions
Tax deductions and credits are available to seniors aged 65 and older. The following are several methods by which seniors can reduce the amount of tax they are required to pay when filing their taxes:
- Earned Income Tax Credit Generally, the credit is refundable, meaning that if the credit exceeds your tax liability, youll get a refund. People aged 65 and older can claim the EITC if they earned less than $57,414 during the 2021 tax year and had an investment income of less than $10,000.
- Applicants who qualify for this tax credit will have their overall tax bill lowered by the IRS. Individuals 65 and above or those with taxable disability income who are retired on permanent and total disabilities are eligible for the credit.
- Standard Deduction For Seniors Standard deductions reduce taxable income automatically, without itemizing deductions, when most taxpayers file their taxes. A higher standard deduction is available for taxpayers 65 years old or older at the end of the tax year.
- Medical Expenses It may be more advantageous for seniors to itemize their deductions rather than take the standard deduction on their tax return if they have high medical expenses. Insurance premiums, Medicare premiums, and long-term care insurance premiums that exceed 7.5% of their income can be deducted.
Senior Companion And Friendly Visitor Programs
These programs provide seniors with a chance for social interaction with a volunteer, usually another senior citizen, who comes to visit the senior and engage in conversation, or perhaps to read to a visually impaired senior. Volunteers may also take seniors out for recreational activities or help with some light chores around the home. These volunteers can play an important role to helpprevent social isolation, and can also watch for signs that the senior is developing a new or worsening health conditionthat requires medical care.
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Home Owners Insurance Claim
In some cases, home repair emergencies can be covered by your insurance policy. So if your roof was recently damaged by a storm, your insurance may cover some or even all of the repairs needed. Consult with a home inspector to assess any damage.
Some long-term care insurance policies also may cover some home modifications.
Home And Community Services
Most ill or disabled Missourians can remain in their own homes and avoid or delay institutionalization with the help of support services. Home and community-based services, administered by the Division of Senior and Disability Services , are available to eligible persons 60 or older and to adults with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 59.
DSDS administers two different programs, available in every county: in-home services and consumer-directed services.
In-home services are designed to assist in meeting the unmet needs of a person and provide necessary assistance for the person to remain in the least restrictive environment.
In general, IHS consists of personal care, nursing services, housekeeping, respite, and adult day care services.
Consumer-directed services , although similar in nature to in-home services, are provided to persons with a physical disability and do not include any task performed by a licensed professional. A participant of CDS must be able to direct the care planning process and hire an attendant. In general, CDS consists of personal care .
For information regarding eligibility criteria and funding sources for in-home services or consumer-directed services, contact DSDS at 866-835-3505.
For persons currently receiving services who want a change in care plan, contact the DSDS Regional Evaluation Team.
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Area Agencies On Aging
The Area Agencies on Aging was established when the Older Americans Act of 1965 was passed. There are approximately more than 600 Area Agencies all across the country. The main aim of Area Agencies on Aging is to help out the senior citizens by offering them community based services. The senior people need to contact these agencies, if they are looking for any kind of assistance. This particular agency helps the senior people with roof repairs, window replacement and other repairs in the house. Apart from that this particular agency also runs various meal delivery programs and transportation services for the senior people.
Medicare And Prescription Help For Seniors
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, those who are disabled, or those who have end-stage renal disease. It does not pay the full cost of services you will still have deductibles and copayments. Medicare has four parts:
It is possible to receive Medicare benefits if you are under 65. For instance, you can get Part A for free if you are under 65 but have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least two years. And if you receive Social Security benefits for at least four months before becoming eligible for Medicare, you are automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B .
But what if you can’t afford the premiums and other costs associated with Medicare? Help for seniors with low incomes is available through a number of programs:
If you have Medicaid, or if you qualify for the QMB, SLMB, or QI programs, you automatically qualify for the Extra Help program that provides prescription help for seniors on Medicare. Under this program, depending on your resources and income level, you may get either full or partial help with the cost of your medications.
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Home Equity Line Of Credit
A home equity line of credit lets you tap into the value in your home when necessary, making it a solid option for home improvements and critical repairs.
Home equity loans and a home equity lines of credit work somewhat similar to cash-out refinancing, in that both allow you to take advantage of your homes equity, but the methods of accessing that equity money are different.
With a HELOC, you take out an additional mortgage on your home. With a cash-out refinance mortgage, you actually replace your existing mortgage with a higher loan amount. Choosing one or the other will depend on how you want to take advantage of tax deductions, and how you want to weigh closing costs vs interest rates. Be sure to consult with a financial advisor to get a better sense of which option is best for you.
As with cash-out refinancing, home equity lines of credit can be a bit risky. Keep in mind that borrowing against home equity can put your home at risk if you cant repay, so be careful with how you spend home equity credit funds and make sure you can pay back the money reasonably quickly.