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What is Non-Medical Home Care and Why Would You Need It?
Are you worried your elderly loved ones are struggling with daily tasks and keeping up with personal hygiene? Do you worry that they may injure themselves trying to do it alone? Non-medical home caregivers are perfect for elders who need assistance with daily activities and any transportation needs. Knowing that your loved one is in good hands will provide your family a peace of mind, not to mention a bit of relief for those providing care while balancing their own family/work life.
What Is Non-Medical Home Care?
Non-medical home care is the provision of care and daily assistance to the elderly in their own home. By utilizing a home health aide, families can avoid making the tough decision to move their parent into assisted living or a nursing home.
Home Care Services.
A home health aide, also known as a senior caregiver, assists with light housekeeping, bathing, dressing, cooking, medication management, restroom assistance, and more. This ensures your aging parents are receiving all the services they may not be able to do by themselves while remaining comfortable in the familiar environment of their home.
Companionship.
In addition to daily task assistance, the caregivers provide companionship to seniors. Many find themselves lonely as they get older, especially if they stop driving or live alone at home. For this reason, your loved one might need someone to cheer them up and keep them company.
Personal Care Assistance.
As they age, your parent may not be able to do some of the tough chores like cleaning the top shelves and vacuuming. They may also need transportation to doctor appointments. Since family members may not be around to ensure this happens, hiring a non-medical home caregiver is a great option to help your aging parent with things they can’t do for themselves.
Meal Preparation and Nutrition Monitoring.
It’s important for elderly seniors to maintain a balanced diet and eat the right portions of food. Sometimes it may be hard for them to prepare a meal, especially every day, multiple times a day. Caregivers ensure that there is enough food in the home, assist with meal preparation, and wash up afterward. Moreover, they ensure that the food has not expired and it’s safe to eat. Additionally, home caregivers can take elders for grocery runs and help them pick their favorite groceries as well as groceries in line with dietary recommendations from their doctor.
Bottom Line.
You don’t have to stress about how you will take care of your seniors anymore. Non-medical home care provides daily assistance, companionship, and aid to carry out basic chores for your parent. Contact a senior home care agency in your area to learn more about how a caregiver can aid in creating a safe, healthy environment right at home for your elderly loved one.
Thank you jfcares.org for this content! For this original content, please visit https://flip.it/Hlko3i
How to Handle Items After a Parent’s Death
One of the biggest challenges for anyone administering an estate is how to distribute those unique items that often can’t be equally split. So, what should you do if given the task of dividing up a family member’s estate, including those items with sentimental significance? One family came up with a clever 5-step method for dividing up their tangible items that other families might want to also try:
Divide the Property into Three Groups.
Start by having all siblings indicate the items in which they are interested, and divide those items into three groups:
(a) Those in which no one had any interest.
(b) Those in which only one person had an interest.
(c) Those in which two or more were interested.
The items where no one has an interest can be sold or given away. Those who are fortunate to be the only sibling wanting certain items get them.
Prepare Lists of the Desired Property.
Next, prepare multiple lists of the items in which more than one sibling expressed a shared interest. Each sibling receives this list of items for review. To simplify this step, the siblings aren’t provided information on the items of no interest to anyone.
Bid for the Contested Items.
Siblings are then given 500 virtual poker chips to be used for bidding on the items of most interest. Prior to the bidding deadline, siblings should talk with one another about their intentions and possibly come to an agreement first on who will receive what items. Such consultations can help avoid two people bidding a lot of tokens for a particular item and no one bidding on another similar one.
Reveal What was Won.
This 5-step method is not like a silent auction or eBay where bidders can see what others are bidding and readjust their bids up to the deadline.
After the bids are in, let everyone know what they have won without revealing the actual bids.
Add Up the Monetary Value.
Once all the allocations are determined, add up the monetary value of the items each sibling receives. Re-adjust any estate monetary distributions to ensure that everyone comes out at the same place financially.
Bottom Line.
The family reported it can be a time-consuming process but a very fair one. This 5-step method not only relieved tensions, but it also brought this one family closer together.
Thank you Harry S. Margolis and forbes.com for this content!
7 Tax Deductions for Seniors You Might Not Know About
It’s tax season, which means you might be feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of helping file taxes for your aging parent. The IRS offers several tax deductions for seniors, though not everyone knows about them. Here are 7 tax deductions for seniors and how you can help take advantage of them:
Increased Standard Deduction.
For the 2022 tax year, seniors filing single or separately get a standard deduction of $14,700. For those who are married and filing jointly, the standard deduction for 65 and older is $25,900.
The standard deduction for a widow over 65 is also $25,900 if they qualify. Taking the standard deduction is often the best option and can eliminate the need to itemize.
Different Filing Threshold and Social Security Tax Exemption.
The filing threshold is the income your parents must earn before being required to file a tax return. Seniors don’t have to file a return until their income exceeds $14,050. Married filers over 65 do not need to file a joint return unless their income exceeds $27,400. Individual filers or married couples with Social Security and other earnings totaling less than $25,000 or $32,000 per year, respectively, may not have to pay federal income taxes.
Medical Expense Deduction.
Your aging parents do have the option to itemize and deduct certain medical bills. They are allowed to deduct any medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income.
Professional medical fees, such as doctor or dentist visits, can be deducted. In addition, prescription drugs, therapy, glasses, and even dentures make the list of deductible expenses.
Health insurance premiums, the costs of in-home senior care, and even expenses incurred because of medical needs, such as parking fees paid at the doctor’s office, can be deducted.
Elderly or Disabled Tax Credit.
The elderly or disabled might be eligible for a tax credit that allows them to deduct money from the total amount owed to the IRS. To be eligible for this credit, your parent must be over the age of 65 or permanently disabled, and their income must not exceed certain levels. Talk with their accountant if you believe they might be eligible for this deduction.
Estate and Gift Tax.
In 2022, Your parents could give up to $12 million to their heirs without penalty per estate law. This number increases to $12.9 million in 2023 ($25,860 for a married couple filing jointly).
Look into an annual gift tax exclusion. This allows parents to give up to $16,000 each year to their heirs without worrying about paying a gift tax. This increases to $17,000 in 2023.
Bottom Line.
Filing taxes is much easier with the help of a professional who has experience working with seniors and their families. They can help ease the stress that comes this time of year.
Thank you Chris Harper and arborcompany.com for this content!
When Family Members Disagree on Senior Care Options
When it comes to caring for an aging loved one, having family members by your side can be a tremendous help – mentally, physically, and financially. But there are also times when having to consider more than one opinion on the “right” care can cause great strife between relatives.
There are three common scenarios where conflict frequently plays out among siblings:
Keeping Mom or Dad in Their Own Home.
This conflict often occurs when one parent passes away, leaving the remaining parent, who may also be in declining health, alone in the home. Wanting to keep mom or dad in their home may sound like a cost-effective solution, but changes to their home may be required to make it accessible (e.g., ramps). In some cases, the home can be the least safe and practical place to be.
Moving Mom or Dad In with Adult Child.
If one sibling feels it is their duty to care for their aging parent, it can create a challenging dynamic with other siblings who either can’t or don’t want to assist with caregiving. Resentments can begin to fester if one sibling feels they are taking on more of the physical or financial demands than another sibling.
Moving Mom or Dad into a Care Facility.
In this situation, the adult child feels that in a care facility, mom and dad will have access to the services they need and be cared for by professionals. It may even be that the adult child doesn’t have the bandwidth (emotionally, financially, or timewise) to take on their parents’ care. This is a challenging disagreement to reconcile since these options (remaining in a private home or moving to a care facility) are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Averting Conflict Between Siblings.
It’s invaluable for parents to sit down with their adult children to discuss their wishes for how they will be cared for as they grow older. There are several legal documents (e.g., living will, power of attorney) that parents should create to take the guesswork out of their care wishes. Parents can even consider moving into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) while they are still healthy, which may alleviate potential tension between siblings.
The Bottom Line.
When making choices about caring for an aging parent, one of the most important things that siblings can do is to remember they are ultimately on the same team. For those who hope to avert disagreements between their adult children, discussions and advanced planning can simplify difficult decisions down the road.
Thank you Brad Breeding and mylifesite.net for this content!
What Happens When a Sibling Disputes a Parent’s Will?
The death of a parent is a difficult time, and this tremendous loss can deepen rifts and cause problems among siblings. If your sibling decides to contest your parent’s will, it is important to understand when and how a will can be overturned.
Contesting a Will.
Just because your sibling decides to contest the will does not mean the courts are going to overturn it. Some siblings threaten to contest their parent’s will when they feel slighted or hurt. However, contesting a will is expensive and time-consuming.
What is a Will Contest?
Under probate law, wills can only be contested by spouses, children, or people who are mentioned in the will or a previous will. When one of these people notifies the court that they believe there is a problem with the will, a will contest begins. A last will and testament can only be contested during the probate process when there is a valid legal question about the document or process under which it was created.
How to Contest a Will?
A will or a codicil to a will (an amendment made to a will after it has been signed) can only be contested for very specific legal reasons. Some of these reasons include how the will is signed and witnessed, mental capacity of the parent at the time, possible will fraud, or being unduly influenced.
What Happens After a Will is Contested?
If the court agrees the will is invalid, the entire will can be thrown out. If there is an earlier will in existence, that will could be put into place instead. If there is no other will, assets could be distributed by the court according to state intestacy laws, which are the rules applied to divide an estate. Part of the will or codicil could be upheld, leaving the court to interpret how the rest of the estate should be distributed.
The Bottom Line.
When it comes down to the reality of the situation, the court looks at all the facts and makes decisions based on what is provable. Most wills are upheld, and most sibling disagreements after a parent’s death cool down with time.
Thank you Brette Sember, J.D. and legalzoom.com for this content!
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Solving Family Disputes when Caring for Senior Loved Ones
Family disputes over elderly parents are more common when multiple children are involved. Tensions may escalate if an adult child living with parents becomes overbearing or controlling. One sibling may even be taking on the load and not receiving help. How do you protect your parents while juggling responsibilities and these tensions?
The Issues.
There are potentially two kinds of situations that develop. Assistance with care and the potential abuse of loved ones by a sibling. A sibling may say they have no time to help or can’t afford to help. There is validity here because primary caregivers don’t have all the time in the world and family caregivers are usually not paid.
How to Ask for Help.
Be direct with your requests to your siblings. Implied requests or subtle hints are not sufficient for siblings to realize they should step up. Sit down and create a list of realistic tasks. Divide up responsibilities according to each person’s strengths. Most importantly, find a balance between caring for your parent and maintaining your own well-being.
Solving Disagreements.
An outside opinion can help. Consider arranging for a geriatric care manager to assess your specific situation. Consult your parent’s primary doctor about recent deterioration and developing physical challenges. Consider a mediator. Sometimes, a neutral third party is the only way to calm the situation.
Signs of Trouble.
Sometimes one child takes over the caregiving role and leaves other family members in the dark. If your sibling is preventing you from reaching your parents, there may be abuse involved. Look for any unexplained signs or unusual conditions. Your aging parent may be the obstacle by attempting to manipulate you when the topic of outside care is discussed. Recognize this is a sign they need professional help.
The Bottom Line.
Plan before the crisis: Budget the needs. Create a living will. Do estate planning. At the end of the day, it comes down to simple communication and transparency issues. Keep everyone in the loop by having regular family meetings. Ask for help. If needed, seek out other sources of help such as the National Family Caregiver Support Program or your local Area Agency on Aging.
Thank you Anthony Cirillo and sixtyandme.com for this content!
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Who’s Responsible for a Mortgage After the Borrower Dies?
When a homeowner dies, inheritance of the home is typically decided by a will or probate.
What about a home that has a mortgage on it? Are the next-of-kin responsible? What happens to surviving family members who still live in the home in question?
Who Takes on Your Parent’s Mortgage Debt When They Die?
Typically, debt is recouped from the estate. This means that before any assets can be passed onto heirs, the executor of the estate will first use those assets to pay off creditors. Unless someone co-signed the loan or is a co-borrower with your parent, nobody is required to take on the mortgage. If the person who inherits the home decides they want to keep it and take over responsibility for the mortgage, there are laws that allow them to do so.
Taking Over a Mortgage on an Inherited House
Heirs should also be able to continue making payments to keep the mortgage current, even if the account hasn’t yet been legally assumed. The exception to this situation is when the mortgage has a co-signer. If someone co-signed the mortgage, they take sole responsibility on that mortgage.
How to Get Information on the Mortgage
You’ll first need to talk to the servicer of the loan and let them know that you’ve inherited the property. You’ll likely need to provide proof of the person’s passing, as well as documents showing that you are the rightful heir to the home. The servicer should provide you with information about how to continue making payments and what your options are for assuming the loan.
I Just Inherited a House. What are My Options?
If there are multiple heirs or you aren’t the executor of the will, this could get complicated, especially if an agreement can’t be made. One option is to simply sell the home to pay off the mortgage. Distribute any leftover funds to the heirs as dictated by the will. Selling is easier when there are multiple heirs, and no one wants to retain the property. What if you want to keep the home but the others don’t? A refinance can help free up funds that you can use to buy out the other heirs and assume ownership of the property.
Preventing Problems.
The time after the death of a loved one can be intense as the family determines what to do with everything the deceased left behind. One option for avoiding issues is to purchase mortgage protection insurance (MPI). MPI is paid directly to the lender to cover some, if not all, of the remaining loan. Plan ahead by having your parents create a will. This allows them to dictate who receives what out of their estate when they die.
The Bottom Line.
Pondering our own passing or a loved one’s is never easy but taking steps now to plan can help give both your parents and their heirs peace of mind. Speaking with an estate planner or financial adviser can help you decide what options may be best for your personal situation.
Thank you Molly Grace and rocketmortgage.com for this content!
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Helping Senior Parents with Doctor’s Visits
Helping aging parents with the coordination or management of medical care can often feel overwhelming for adult children. You’ve likely realized a point when you need to step in to offer some support, but knowing where to start with that effort can be difficult.
Start a Conversation.
Begin by talking to your parents about the ways you can help them, such as accompanying them on medical visits to help take notes about directions, tests, or medications. Reassure them you want to make visits easier, not completely take over. They should still be the lead person when talking to the doctor at appointments.
Take Steps to Make Communication Easy.
Once you’ve had that initial conversation with your parent, there are several actions you and your parent can take for easy communication with their medical team.
Make a List of Information.
Having a list of doctors, including any specialists, with a phone number and address for each office creates an easy reference for appointments and completing paperwork. If your parent takes multiple medications, it’s wise for both you and your parent to understand who prescribed each medication and why it was prescribed. Be sure to keep a copy of the medication list for yourself. Update that list any time there is a change in dose or a new medicine is added.
Ask Your Parents to Sign HIPAA Forms.
Physicians, nurses, and receptionists cannot talk to adult children about a parent’s health or appointments unless the parent has signed a HIPAA form. Ask your parents to sign a HIPAA form at each physician’s office, giving the office permission to share medical information with any adult children on the parent’s list.
Consider Health Care Power of Attorney.
This legal document allows your parents to designate one or more people to make health care decisions if they become unable to make it themselves.
Arrange Access to Electronic Medical Records.
Your parents can give you permission to access their electronic medical records and communicate with their health care team through existing patient portals. This can be a huge time-saver for adult children, allowing them to log in to send a non-urgent message or follow-up question to a care provider. They can even check lab results, see after-visit summaries, or view upcoming scheduled appointments.
Make a List of Questions and Concerns.
Several days before a doctor visit, start talking with your parent about how he or she has been feeling and any new or old symptoms that are bothering them. You can help them make a list of questions and concerns that they can take to the visit.
Attend Doctor’s Visits if Possible.
Making a personal connection with the doctor can be extremely beneficial to creating strong communication later. Try to accompany your parent to one visit with each doctor. If you can’t go to a visit, you can usually message or call the doctor or a nurse before the appointment to mention concerns you would like them to address.
Thank youlebauer.com for this content!
How to Encourage Senior Parents to Exercise
Exercise is key to living a long and healthy life, and if your aging parents are currently in less than great shape, it may be up to you to encourage them to turn things around.
Start From a Place of Love.
No matter what shape your parent is in, they are unlikely to receive negative fitness encouragement toward their current state. Be sure to express that you love them and really want them to enjoy a fantastic quality of life for many, many years to come.
Give Them a “Why.”
For some, just regaining control of their health is reason enough; for others, being able to play an active role in their grandchildren’s lives may carry more weight. Focusing on what they want to achieve will give your parents more incentive to keep going.
Give Them Tools.
If your parents are receptive to education, do some research on the benefits of fitness for aging adults. Connect them with like-minded communities such as “Fit After Fifty,” and make sure they know they aren’t alone.
Help Them Get Started.
Setting up a fitness plan after many years of no exercise is difficult and can be quite intimidating. Depending on your parents’ personality, giving them some ideas that you have researched might work or they might prefer to educate themselves.
Support Their Efforts.
Few people, if any, flourish in something difficult without positive reinforcement. Try suggesting exercising together. Time spent hiking with their kids (now adults) or grandkids may be just the motivation they need.
Set Milestones and Goals.
Positive encouragement is one thing, but when your parent feels you’re as excited about their achievements as they are, it can go so much further! Listen to your parents about what they hope to achieve. Help them set goals, and then celebrate when they reach or pass those goals.
Thank you https://fitafterfifty.com/ for this content!
Why are They Considering a Medicaid Divorce?
Medicaid divorce is the dissolution of a marriage in which one spouse requires long-term care. Medicaid divorce is intended to protect assets for the non-applicant spouse, also called the healthy spouse or community spouse. By divorcing, a healthy spouse may be able to receive a greater portion of the couple’s assets. Without Medicaid assistance, some couples could quickly deplete their assets on long-term care, leaving the healthy spouse with little to support themself.
Spousal Impoverishment Rules.
Medicaid Divorces are not as common as in the past. Unfortunately, some couples may feel this is the only solution when one spouse requires long-term care. Spousal Impoverishment Provisions were enacted by the federal government in 1988. These provisions were enacted to prevent poverty of healthy spouses, which had been a real issue prior to 1988.
So Why Do People Get a Medicaid Divorce?
Medicaid divorces happen because the financial burden of long-term care can be too significant for a couple. Medicaid divorce continues to be used for preservation and to protect assets of more than $500,000 for future inheritance.
Which States Allow a Medicaid Divorce?
The answer to, “Which states allow a Medicaid Divorce?” is not a simple one. The divorce laws in the State you reside must be considered and the topic of separate property states versus marital property states must be discussed. It is advisable to consult with a Medicaid Planning professional to learn of other available options when considering a Medicaid divorce.
Alternatives to a Medicaid Divorce.
While in some situations, Medicaid Divorce may be the most plausible solution, there are other planning strategies that can be considered. Consider a Medicaid-compliant annuity, which converts a lump sum of cash into a monthly stream of income. Or an irrevocable funeral trust which allows you to pay for funeral and burial expenses in advance, providing another way to convert assets into exempt ones.
If you have excess assets, your spouse requires long-term medical care and you are considering a Medicaid Divorce…It can be extremely beneficial to consult with a Medicaid Planning professional to learn what options are best for your family. These professionals are skilled in restructuring and protecting assets for the best chance of Medicaid eligibility without the need of a Medicaid Divorce.
Thank you medicaidplanningassistance.org for this content! Provided by the American Council on Aging