Most people needing long-term care rely on government programs to help pay for their care. Many public programs exist ? some with strict financial hardship guidelines ? others with none. Some local governments have tremendous programs, others offer nothing. States, too, vary widely in their programs. Some states offer lots of help to pay for home health care, but others only offer assistance with nursing home care.
For example, in addition to offering assistance with nursing home care, Connecticut offers the CT Home Care Program for Elders, a needs-based program. At the federal level, the PACE program, is a national project designed to keep seniors healthy and in their own homes, is available in Massachusetts and 13 other states. Lastly, though Medicaid (?MassHealth? in Massachusetts) is a federal program, care options vary, depending on where you live.
Medicaid financial qualification guidelines can vary from state to state. You might think that qualifications would vary between higher and lower cost areas of the U.S., but that?s not the case. The income and asset qualification levels are flat numbers nationwide, set by the federal government. However, states have some leeway in how the guidelines are administered by their state?s Medicaid department. So, even a national program is not uniform.
Where should people go to get accurate information on what kind of help is available in their area? Your State?s Office on Aging can help.
? In Connecticut, call Pamela Giannini at 860-424-5277 or go to the Elderly Services Division on the Internet at http://www.ctelderlyservices.state.ct.us. You may also contact one of Connecticut?s five Area Agencies on Aging via the Internet at http://www.ctelderlyservices.state.ct.us/ProgramsFrm.htm.
? In Massachusetts, call Lillian Glickman at 617-727-7750 or go to http://www.mass.gov/Elders/docs/serviceorgs_coa_sites.doc to locate your local Council on Aging. You may contact Massachusetts Area Agencies on Aging via the Internet at http://www.800ageinfo.com/map.
Your best information source on financially qualifying for Medicaid and other legal issues for elders is a qualified elder law attorney.
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