One of the most common long-term care planning objectives I hear from clients is they would like to remain in their own homes as long as possible, but are worried about the cost of bringing in help. This is understandable. Your home is familiar and comfortable – yet bringing help into your home can be costly. Fortunately, there are a variety of programs and services that help to defray the cost of home health care and with some planning, many elders can remain safely in their homes for much longer than they thought possible – even forever!
Veterans’ Benefits. Are you or your spouse a veteran? There is a fantastic program that few seniors and their families know about: Aid & Attendance. Once you qualify, the VA sends a monthly check that you can use to pay caregivers, buy medical equipment, remodel a bathroom to be wheelchair accessible – whatever you decide is the best and most effective use of that money. This is the most logical, pragmatic long-term care program I know of. It helps seniors stay at home for longer, all without limiting you to certain home health aide agencies, rolling deductibles, and a lot of the impediments that come with other support programs.
The application process for the A&A program is not for the faint of heart. There are reams of papers to fill out (of course), and it takes at least six months to receive approval. More than almost any other government program, you will need an elder law attorney or a qualified veterans’ representative to walk you through the planning process. In order to assist you, an attorney must be “certified” by the VA and take the requisite training. Without this guidance, it is very difficult to obtain the maximum benefits you are entitled to.
South Shore Elder Services & the Hull Senior Center. Most elders qualify for some assistance from their local elder services agency. Hull residents would contact South Shore Elder Services. After determining your needs and eligibility, SSES provides services such as homemaking, meal preparation, adult day care, home health aides, and even bill paying. Even if the services you are eligible for through SSES do not completely meet your needs, they can go a long way towards defraying the cost of what you would spend if you paid completely out of pocket.
Likewise, the Hull Senior Center is a great resource. The Senior Center provides transportation to appointments, shopping centers, and grocery stores. (The Ride, offered by the MBTA, is another transportation option for Hull residents). The Hull Senior Center offers a variety of resources and programs for residents, such as exercise classes, conversation groups, counseling, and special events.
Hospice. Many people think of hospice as a service to call only when a person has days or weeks to live. On the contrary, hospices want to get involved with patients for months or even years at a time. Hospice can provide a variety of services, including medical equipment, home health aides, companionship, and spiritual counseling. It’s a remarkable program and is included in your Medicare benefits.
Assisted Living. For some people, leaving home and moving to assisted living is a great solution. At assisted living, you have your own apartment but spend the day at the various social events, and all your meals are prepared for you. And the best part? No more shoveling snow! We have many excellent assisted livings on the South Shore, and you can find one that feels like the “right fit” for you.
The South Shore has a wealth of options to help seniors stay at home or move to a new, more supportive environment. With a little planning ahead, you can develop your own plan to help you age in the setting of your choice.