The idea of a special needs kid turning 18 can be scary – that is when she is legally an adult and things start to change. In another post I will address her legal decision-making power. This post looks at health care coverage.
If your child is on your private health insurance policy (i.e.,...
Continue reading…
Oh My Gosh, My Special Needs Child is About to Become a Legal Adult!
Knowing that your special needs child is about to become “of majority age” can strike fear in the heart. If you doubt your child’s ability to make her own financial, legal, and health care decisions, there are a few things you need to do before she turns 18. (If she is already 18 or...
Continue reading…
MassHealth (Medicaid) Programs for Kids
Some children don’t have private health insurance coverage through their parents, as a matter of fact, lots of kids – one in four Massachusetts children is on MassHealth (Medicaid).
Applying for MassHealth is very confusing – there are several programs, they each have different enrollment criteria, and they provide different levels of coverage. Check out...
Continue reading…
Being Paid to Care for Your Parents
As their parents have needed increased hands-on care and errand-running, many “Boomers” have been squeezed trying to juggle caring for their parents and performing well at work. Our current economy has produced a mixed blessing for some – lost jobs means time to address their parents’ needs, but without economic security.
One solution is...
Continue reading…
Rising Unemployment Means Rising Uninsured
Rising numbers of unemployment inevitably lead to a significant number of people losing their employer sponsored health insurance. Where do these people turn for insurance? States provide Medicaid for people who meet their income and asset requirements. Medicaid is much more generous with children, even the children of parents who themselves have too much...
Continue reading…
How Do You Purchase the Right Long-Term Care Insurance Policy?
If you can afford the premiums, long-term care insurance (LTCI) is usually good investment in your future. The right policy will pay for at-home care, medical equipment, nursing home care, and maybe even some of the monthly fees at an assisted living. Actuarial tables demonstrate that in many cases, families that paid LTCI premiums...
Continue reading…
Caregiver Stress Check Quiz
If you are a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer’s or any other debilitating disease, take a look at the National Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Stress Check. It’s very well done. Based on the issues you check off (ex., you feel like you are doing everything yourself with no backup, you think that your...
Continue reading…
Newton Health Care Center
On a beautiful December Wednesday, I drove to Newton to tour the Newton Health Care Center. The owner, Healthbridge, also has the Weymouth Health Care Center on the South Shore. From the outside, it looks like an old-fashioned, brick nondescript nursing home, but inside, there is a lot going on. They offer...
Continue reading…
Asperger’s Association of New England
Have you checked out the Asperger’s Association of New England? What a busy place. They provide services and support to teens, adults, family members, and educators and professionals.
Are you a teen looking for a social network? Are you a parent seeking workshops on parenting and advocating in the schools? Are you looking...
Continue reading…
Your Estate Plan Will Work Only if You Tie Up the Loose Ends
Have you set up your estate plan? You signed your will, trust, special needs trust, durable power of attorney, health care proxy, stand-by guardianship for your minor children – it’s a lot of work, congratulations!
One last task before you are done – you MUST remember to change beneficiary listings on your various assets if...
Continue reading…