Chronic custodial care payment:

PAYMENT FOR CHRONIC CARE FOR PERSONS OVER 65

Medicare pays for brief rehabilitation after hospital episodes. It does not pay for chronic custodial care.

Chronic custodial care can be rendered at home or in a nursing facility.

The care may be needed for months or years.

It is not usually skilled care; it usually involves the tasks of daily living such as dressing, cooking, feeding, bathing, toileting, help with walking or transferring in and out of bed or a wheelchair.

SHORT TERM CARE IS NOT USUALLY THE ISSUE

Medicare usually only pays for a few months of home or nursing home rehabilitation or skilled nursing care after a hospitalization. If you still need care after these benefits expire, that's when you start to pay privately. Some veterans may have some limited benefits through the Veterans Administration. After the Medicare benefit is finished, these are the ways of paying for nursing home or home care:

        LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE:

        Long term care insurance (if already owned).

        I believe this is by far the best way to provide for your care. The downside is the cost and the fact that an insurance company must evaluate your health and determine that you are a good risk.

        If you are inclined towards this approach, I can give you some guidelines as to how to purchase a policy.

        PRIVATE PAY:

        This is the pay method that gives you the most control and options. It is the simplest.

        Once you pay for your own care until your funds are almost used up, you will then qualify for Medicaid to take over. You can keep certain exempt assets and resources.

        MEDICAID PAYS FOR YOU:

        Medicaid is available to people who have limited assets.