Long-Term Care: How to Plan & Pay for It » (Revised)

Joseph Matthews has been an attorney since 1971, and from 1975 to 1977 he taught at the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. He has for many years been involved in matters relating to seniors, and is the author of Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions and Long Term Care: How to Plan & Play for It, as well as How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim.

Figure out what kind of care you need and how to make it affordable.

Modern Maturity

Evaluates home health, residential and nursing care facilities, and nursing home insurance; it also looks at Medicare, Medicaid and other benefit programs.

Introduction
What Is Long-Term Care?
Threshold Issues of Long-Term Care
1. Making Decisions About Long-Term Care
Getting Started
Make a Realistic Family Commitment
What Can You Afford?
Geriatric Care Managers
Other Legal and Financial Matters

2. At-Home Care
What Is Home Care?
How to Find Home Care
Services Provided
Kinds of Providers
What to Look For
Getting Started
Costs of Home Care
Financing Home Care Through Reverse Mortgages
Cashing In a Life Insurance Policy
Home Care

3. Organized Senior Residences
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Combination Residential Facilities

4. Long-Term Care Facilities
Levels of Care
Choosing the Right Facility
Your Written Contract

5. Care for Elders With Alzheimer's Disease
The Symptoms and Stages of Alzheimer's
Home Care for Alzheimer's
Residential Care Facilities for Alzheimer's

6. Hospice Care
Medicare Eligibility for Hospice Care
Services Provided by Hospice
How Hospice Operates
Payment for Hospice Care

7. Medicare and Veterans' Benefits
Medicare Coverage for Long-Term Care
Veterans' Benefits for Long-Term Care

8. Medicaid Coverage for Long-Term Care
Eligibility for Medicaid
What Medicaid Pays For
Finding Out About Medicaid in Your State
If You Are Denied Medicaid Coverage

9. Medicaid and Asset Protection
Medicaid Rules on Transfer of Assets
Strategies to Protect Your Assets

10. Protecting Choices About Medical Care and Finances
Health Care Decisions
Financial Decisions
Guardianships and Conservatorships

11. Long-Term Care Insurance
Risks and Benefits
Warnings About Insurance Practices
Extent of Coverage
Coverage Conditions and Exclusions
Premiums
Benefit Amounts
Refund Provisions

12. Elder Fraud
Why Elders Are Targets
Who Commits Elder Fraud
Elder Frauds
Where to Get Help

Appendix: Resource Directory
Aging, State Agencies
Alzheimer's Disease Organizations
Caregiver Support Groups
Home Care, Community Programs, and Senior Residences
National Organizations
State Associations
Hospice Organizations
State Hospice Organizations
Insurance -- Long-Term Care
State Departments of Insurance
State Agencies on Aging
Information About LTC Policies
Legal Assistance
Licensing and Certification
Nursing Facility License and Certification Offices
Medicaid Assistance
Nursing Facility and Alternative Residence Organizations
Ombudsman Offices
Reverse Mortgage and Home Equity Conversion Assistance
Viatical Settlement Assistance

Index