There are 6 ADLs for long term care that are commonly used to assess an individual’s functional ability and determine their need for LTC. These ADLs include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. Each of these activities requires a certain level of physical and cognitive functioning, and the inability to perform one or more of these tasks can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to live independently.

Understanding the importance of these ADLs is crucial for both individuals and their caregivers. By recognizing the importance of these activities and identifying areas where assistance may be needed, individuals can take steps to maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. Caregivers can also use this knowledge to provide targeted support that meets the unique needs of each individual they care for.

Understanding 6 ADLs for Long Term Care

When it comes to long term care, it is important to assess a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs are the basic self-care tasks that a person needs to perform in order to live independently. There are six main ADLs that are typically assessed in long term care:

1. Bathing
2. Dressing
3. Eating
4. Transferring (moving from one place to another, such as getting in and out of bed)
5. Toileting
6. Continence (the ability to control bladder and bowel function)

In addition to these six ADLs, there are also instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which are more complex tasks that are necessary for independent living, such as managing finances and medications.

Assessment of ADLs is important in determining a person’s functional status and physical function. One commonly used tool for assessing ADLs is the Katz Index of Independence, which rates a person’s ability to perform each of the six ADLs on a scale of 0-6. A score of 6 indicates complete independence, while a score of 0 indicates complete dependence.

It is important to note that a person’s ability to perform ADLs can change over time, and may be affected by a variety of factors such as illness, injury, or cognitive decline. Regular assessments of ADLs can help to identify changes in a person’s functional status and inform the development of a care plan to meet their needs.

In summary, understanding ADLs is an important aspect of long term care. By assessing a person’s ability to perform these basic self-care tasks, healthcare providers can better understand their functional status and physical function, and develop a care plan to support their independence and quality of life.

Insurance and Financial Aspects

When it comes to long-term care (LTC), insurance and financial planning are crucial aspects to consider. LTC expenses can be quite high, and insurance can help provide much-needed financial assistance.

One option for insurance coverage is a long-term care insurance policy. These policies can be purchased from insurance companies or insurance carriers. It is important to note that not all policies are created equal, and it is essential to carefully review the policy’s benefit provisions before purchasing.

A qualified LTC policy can help cover a range of expenses, including in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. The maximum daily benefit and length of coverage can vary depending on the policy.

It is recommended to speak with a financial advisor to determine the correct time to purchase a long-term care insurance policy. Some individuals may choose to purchase a policy earlier in life to lock in lower premiums, while others may wait until they are closer to needing LTC services.

Life insurance policies can also be used to help cover LTC expenses. Some policies have riders that allow for LTC benefits to be accessed. It is important to review the policy’s terms and conditions to determine if this is an option.

Some popular LTC insurance providers include Northwestern Mutual, John Hancock, and Mutual of Omaha. It is essential to research and compare policies to find the best fit for individual needs and budgets.

Role of Medical Care

Medical care plays a crucial role in the care and well-being of long-term care residents. It involves the management and treatment of medical conditions, monitoring of health status, and coordination of medical expenses.

Medical care providers, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, are responsible for assessing and treating residents’ medical conditions. They also maintain medical records, which include information on residents’ health problems, medications, and treatments. These records are critical in ensuring that residents receive appropriate medical care and that healthcare professionals have access to up-to-date information about residents’ medical conditions.

Residents with severe cognitive impairment may require specialized medical care, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and medical treatments. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in providing this care and ensuring that residents’ medical needs are met.

Medical expenses can be a significant concern for long-term care residents and their families. Healthcare professionals can assist with managing these expenses by providing information on insurance coverage, government programs, and other financial resources that may be available to residents.

In summary, medical care is an essential component of long-term care. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in assessing and treating residents’ medical conditions, monitoring their health status, and coordinating medical expenses. By working together with residents and their families, healthcare professionals can help ensure that residents receive the best possible care and support.

Personal Care and Daily Activities

Personal care and daily activities are essential components of long-term care. These activities are designed to help individuals maintain their independence and dignity while receiving the necessary support and assistance to manage their daily lives.

Personal care includes activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. These activities are critical for maintaining personal hygiene and ensuring that individuals are comfortable and clean. Long-term care facilities provide support and assistance to individuals who need help with these activities, ensuring that they are performed safely and effectively.

Daily activities also include meal preparation, basic needs, and household duties. Long-term care facilities provide assistance with these activities as well, ensuring that individuals have access to nutritious meals and are able to maintain their living spaces in a clean and safe manner.

The level of care provided for personal care and daily activities varies depending on the individual’s needs. Some individuals may require more support and assistance than others, and long-term care facilities are equipped to provide the necessary level of care to meet each individual’s unique needs.

Overall, personal care and daily activities are critical components of long-term care. Long-term care facilities provide the necessary support and assistance to help individuals maintain their independence and dignity while receiving the care they need to manage their daily lives.

Special Considerations for Alzheimer’s Disease

When it comes to long-term care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, there are several special considerations that need to be taken into account. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that affects memory, cognitive function, and behavior. As a result, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease require specialized care that is tailored to their unique needs.

Communication

Communication is key when it comes to caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience difficulty with language and communication. It is important to use simple, clear language when speaking with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers should also be patient and allow individuals with Alzheimer’s disease time to process information and respond.

Safety

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may be at risk for falls, wandering, and other safety concerns. Caregivers should take steps to ensure that the environment is safe and secure. This may include installing locks on doors and windows, removing tripping hazards, and providing adequate lighting.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is important for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience difficulty with eating and swallowing. Caregivers should ensure that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease are receiving adequate nutrition and hydration. This may involve providing soft or pureed foods and thickened liquids.

Activities

Engaging in meaningful activities can help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease maintain cognitive function and improve their quality of life. Caregivers should provide opportunities for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease to participate in activities that they enjoy, such as listening to music, playing games, and engaging in art or craft projects.

Medications

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may require medications to manage symptoms such as agitation, aggression, and depression. Caregivers should work closely with healthcare providers to ensure that medications are being used appropriately and that any side effects are being monitored.

End-of-Life Care

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, individuals may require end-of-life care. Caregivers should work closely with healthcare providers to ensure that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease receive appropriate palliative care and support. This may involve managing symptoms such as pain and discomfort, providing emotional support to both the individual and their family members, and ensuring that the individual’s wishes are being respected.

ADL Quizlet for Long Term Care

In long-term care facilities, the activities of daily living (ADLs) are essential for maintaining the health and well-being of patients. ADLs are basic self-care tasks that individuals must perform to take care of themselves, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.

To help patients remember and practice these tasks, caregivers often use ADL Quizlet. This technique involves creating a list of ADLs and having patients practice them regularly. ADL Quizlet can help patients gain more independence and confidence in their abilities.

Here are six ADLs that are commonly included in ADL Quizlet for long-term care:

1. Bathing: Patients should be encouraged to bathe regularly to maintain good hygiene. Caregivers can assist with bathing or provide instructions on how to do it independently.

2. Dressing: Patients should be able to dress themselves appropriately for the weather and occasion. Caregivers can provide adaptive clothing or assist with dressing if necessary.

3. Toileting: Patients should be able to use the toilet independently or with minimal assistance. Caregivers can provide adaptive equipment or assist with toileting if necessary.

4. Transferring: Patients should be able to move from one place to another, such as from a bed to a chair. Caregivers can provide assistance or adaptive equipment if necessary.

5. Eating: Patients should be able to feed themselves independently or with minimal assistance. Caregivers can provide adaptive equipment or assist with feeding if necessary.

6. Continence: Patients should be able to control their bladder and bowel movements. Caregivers can provide adaptive equipment or assist with continence care if necessary.

By practicing these ADLs regularly, patients can maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. ADL Quizlet is a useful tool for helping patients remember and practice these tasks.

Legal and Policy Aspects

Long-term care insurance policies are regulated at the state level, which means that the specific requirements and benefits vary depending on the state. However, there are some general legal and policy aspects that apply to most policies.

One important aspect is the elimination period, which is the amount of time that must pass before the policy benefits kick in. This can range from 0 to 180 days, and the longer the elimination period, the lower the premium.

Another important aspect is inflation protection, which can help ensure that the policy benefits keep pace with the rising cost of care. There are several types of inflation protection, including automatic compound inflation protection and future purchase options.

Policyholders should also be aware of the waiting period, which is the time between when the policy is purchased and when it takes effect. This can range from 0 to 90 days.

In addition to the policy benefits, there are also additional resources available to policyholders, such as care coordination and caregiver support services.

It’s important to note that long-term care insurance policies typically cover custodial care, which includes assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and eating. However, they may not cover skilled nursing care or medical care.

Policyholders should also be aware of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects their privacy and ensures that their personal health information is kept confidential.

In the United States, most long-term care insurance policies provide coverage for a specific number of days, such as 730 days or 1,460 days. Policyholders can also compare policies using a side-by-side quote to see the differences in benefits and premiums.

Role of Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals with long-term care needs to maintain their independence and quality of life. They work with patients to identify their strengths and limitations, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide ongoing support and guidance.

Some of the specific ways in which occupational therapists can help patients with long-term care needs include:

• Assessing patients’ ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding themselves, and developing strategies to improve or maintain their independence in these areas.
• Evaluating patients’ home environments and making recommendations for modifications or assistive devices that can improve safety and accessibility.
• Developing customized exercise programs to help patients improve their strength, flexibility, and balance, which can reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
• Providing education and training to patients and their caregivers on strategies for managing chronic conditions, such as arthritis or diabetes, and minimizing the impact of these conditions on daily life.
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists or speech therapists, to provide comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of patients’ needs.
• Advocating for patients and their families to ensure that they receive the resources and support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Overall, occupational therapists are an essential part of the long-term care team, providing valuable expertise and support to help patients achieve their goals and live their best lives possible.

Understanding IADLs

IADLs, or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, are a set of tasks that are necessary for independent living and managing one’s household. Unlike ADLs, which are basic self-care tasks, IADLs require a higher level of cognitive and physical ability.

Some examples of IADLs include managing finances, grocery shopping, meal preparation, medication management, and using transportation. These tasks are essential for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, and for participating in the community.

For individuals receiving long-term care, IADLs are often a key focus of treatment and support. Caregivers may provide assistance with these tasks, or help individuals develop strategies for managing them independently.

When assessing an individual’s ability to perform IADLs, it is important to consider factors such as mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive functioning. Assistive devices such as hearing aids, magnifiers, and mobility aids can help individuals overcome barriers to completing these tasks.

In today’s world, technology has also become an important tool for managing IADLs. Mobile phones and regular phones can help individuals stay connected with loved ones and healthcare providers. Public transportation apps and services can help individuals navigate their community and access essential services.

Overall, understanding IADLs is an important component of long-term care planning and support. By recognizing the importance of these tasks and providing appropriate resources and assistance, individuals can maintain their independence and quality of life.

Federal and Medicare Programs

Long-term care can be expensive, and many individuals and families struggle to pay for it. Fortunately, there are several federal and Medicare programs that can help cover the costs.

Federal Program

One such program is Medicaid, which is a federal program that provides healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families. Medicaid can cover long-term care services, including nursing home care, for eligible individuals.

To qualify for Medicaid, individuals must meet certain income and asset requirements. Each state has its own Medicaid program, and eligibility requirements can vary by state.

Medicare PACE Programs

Another option for long-term care coverage is Medicare PACE programs. PACE, which stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a Medicare program that provides comprehensive medical and social services to individuals who are 55 years or older and need nursing home level care.

PACE programs provide a range of services, including medical care, prescription drugs, and transportation. They also offer social activities and support services to help individuals maintain their independence.

Overall, federal and Medicare programs can provide much-needed financial assistance for long-term care. It’s important to understand the eligibility requirements and coverage options for each program to determine which one is right for you or your loved one.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the six ADLs are essential for long-term care. They provide a framework for measuring an individual’s ability to perform basic activities of daily living and determine the level of care required. By understanding and assessing the ADLs, caregivers can develop a personalized care plan that meets the needs of each individual.

It is important to note that the six ADLs are not the only factors to consider when providing long-term care. Other factors, such as cognitive impairment, medical conditions, and social support, also play a significant role. However, the ADLs provide a valuable starting point for assessing an individual’s needs and ensuring that they receive the appropriate level of care.

By prioritizing the ADLs and providing individualized care, caregivers can help individuals maintain their independence, improve their quality of life, and achieve their goals. Whether it is assisting with bathing, dressing, or eating, every aspect of long-term care is important and contributes to the overall well-being of the individual.

In summary, the six ADLs provide a valuable tool for assessing an individual’s ability to perform basic activities of daily living and determining the level of care required. By utilizing the ADLs and providing individualized care, caregivers can help individuals maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Golden years of life usually refer to those incredible years when you have just retired and are still in good health to relax and enjoy your life. You do not have to worry about your career; you do not worry about your family responsibilities, you can finally focus on yourself!

Buying a vacation home is a dream for many people. It can provide you with the peace and serenity of a locale that you always wanted to be surrounded in. It will be a place where you can sit on the couch while sipping a cold beverage, enjoying the beautiful view, and remembering your best days.

Today, we will tell you how to make the dream of buying a vacation home a reality. We will talk to you about the things you need to have in your mind if you are considering this option. 

We will check its financial viability for you and tell you about the caveats you might miss in the rosy picture of a fantastic vacation home. 

Why Vacation Homes Are Good Investments

A vacation home or second home is not only a place to relax and enjoy, but it is also a good investment to consider for the future. If you are considering buying a vacation home for your golden years, then buying it in a popular location might be a good thing to do.

There are several reasons for it; some of them are listed below.

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Value Appreciation

If you buy a vacation home at a popular destination, then the property’s value appreciates regularly. It will not only give you monetary safety, but it also becomes an excellent option for investment. 

The real estate in popular tourist cities is bound to increase with time, so you do not have to worry about whether your investment is futile. It will be fruitful no matter what. You can benefit from the property while you are alive, and when you are gone, the vacation home would be an excellent legacy to leave behind.

Good Rental Value

This is another excellent benefit of buying a vacation home at a popular place. When you do not want to use the property, there will always be someone willing to take it for rent. 

The vacation home can become an excellent source of steady income when you are not using it. If you are the person who only seeks a vacation home just for a seasonal visit, then this investment can become your cash cow. 

The property itself will appreciate with time, and you will also get steady payments.

Tax benefits

When you apply for mortgages for a second home after clearing your payments of your first house on time, you get a certain amount of tax benefits on your income. You also get some relaxation in the costs of the installments.

This policy is different for different banks, so make sure you talk to your bank about the tax benefits you will become eligible for.

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Things To Keep In Your Mind Before Buying

We told you about why a vacation home is a good investment? Now let’s tell you about certain things you should consider before buying a vacation home. As with every investment, you must do this after careful thinking on these points.

Affordability

Before buying a vacation home, ask yourself a simple set of questions: 

• Can you afford it? 
• Will you have enough funds to retire comfortably if you buy this home? 
• How much are you going to use the home? 
• How will you manage the property? 

These questions may sound simple. But they will make your priority and estimations very clear. You need to consider your income at this time and after retirement and then plan for installments that the vacation home will incur upon you.

Mortgages have hidden costs even if you qualify for it under a second home. Another thing to count is whether your current house is paid for or not. You should go for it if you think you can afford a second property after considering all of these facts and figures.

Location

You should ask yourself where you picture yourself after retirement. Do you have a passion for nature and want to spend your retirement in a place surrounded by natural luxuries? 

Or do you want to explore lovely food joints in a busy city? Then you should move ahead with your decision. You should consider your shortlisted locations’ medical, transport, and other emergency facilities. 

The location that you are considering should not be too remote as this will not be good for you in the long run. Neither will it increase the value of your property, nor will it do any good to your mental health. Therefore, you should look for a property with good accessibility, peace, and some public importance.

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Be Far-sighted

Evaluate your future requirements and then choose any suitable property. Do not narrow down your vision in just retirement joys. Golden years are golden for a reason, as they are limited. So do not be a short-sighted person and later get stuck with a property that does not give high returns and is painful to manage. 

Sit down and think about your life ten years from now, and then you will get a clear idea regarding your investment. We advise you to include your family in the decision-making process. Every financial decision impacts your family members as well. Therefore, including them in the decision-making process will cover everyone’s interests.

Consider Maintenances

Once you buy the property, things will not be just about staying there and enjoying the peace. You will have to do necessary maintenance frequently. With age doing this maintenance gets tough. 

You might have to hire a manager to take care of your property if you do not have any close family members. This will bring the extra cost you have to pay as a salary to your manager. So, you have to keep these things in mind before considering buying a vacation home.

Tax liabilities

You may be eligible for mortgages under a second house and have some tax benefits. But, if you rent the property, you will have to show the rental income in your tax return. If you deduct the number of maintenance, you also have to show the remaining income in your return. 

Also, you need to occupy your vacation home for at least 14 days or 10% of the time the property is rented. Otherwise, the IRS will consider the property investment and deal with your taxes accordingly.

Ways to Buy a Vacation Home

• Clear the dues of your first home in the time limit so that you can be eligible for mortgages under a second home.
• Keep a healthy credit score and never miss out on your bills.
• Save money while you are working to build ample retirement funds.
• Keep eyes on emergency selling advertisements in the area you want to buy a vacation home; you can get a good deal this way.
• Be educated about the benefits and relaxations you are eligible for.
• Never fall for misleading advertisements. Do proper research about the rates of similar properties and prospects of the region.
• In cities, some government-owned properties are always getting auctioned. Keep an eye on such auctions to land with a suitable property.

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Best Places To Buy Vacation Homes In 2022

A June 2021 report claimed that buyers’ demand for second homes is decreasing due to the pandemic. This has opened the gates for affordable real estate in the United States.

While the demand for second homes has declined, the demand for rentals is increasing considerably. In another report on buyer’s interest, it was found that most people are seeking a budget of $400,000. 

The top places that you can consider under this limit are Gatlinburg, TN, St Augustine, FL, Dauphin Islands AL, Palm Strings CL, etc. you can choose among the best properties with a good capital rate in these locations.

Wrap Up

A vacation home might seem a very rosy prospect, but buying and planning for it are full of challenges. We covered some of the challenges you need to consider before buying a vacation home.

We told you about the questions you need to ask yourself before investing. The clearer you are about what you comprehensively need, the more you can enjoy your investment later. So, be wise when deciding to invest.

Keep all the possibilities open before you when you are buying the property. It would be best if you considered renting the property as an option to choose the location of your premises accordingly. Remember that this decision is not just about you, so include your family in the decision-making. 

Research about the IRS’s definitions of investment and household properties. In that way, you will save your unnecessary tax deduction. Be mindful of that 10% and 14-day essential stay rule so you can qualify your property as not an investment.

There are definitely some medical costs you can deduct from your taxes to help with the cost of paying for the care you or your loved one needs.

What Is Covered?

The IRS allows individuals to have certain medical deductions to help with the cost of doctors, surgeons, therapists and even prescription medications. On top of that, people can also deduct the cost of hospital stays and nursing home care.

These allowances definitely helps to pay for medical costs, but what happens when you or your loved one needs care at home? As much as hospitals and nursing homes try to help, they can’t be around all the time and some individuals don’t necessarily need full time nursing home care.

The good news is that you may be able to deduct some home care costs on your taxes to make the most of it, and help to cover some of the costs.

Home Care Costs Deductions

There are a couple different categories of home care, as defined by the IRS, so before filing your taxes you will need to make sure you know which one you qualify for and how to claim the costs appropriately.

At-Home Maintenance and Personal Care

You are allowed to make deductions for personal care services for people who are living with a chronic illness and/or are disabled (either temporarily or permanently). Individuals who have severe cognitive impairment may also be able to deduct care services due to requiring help with specific tasks around the house.

To qualify to deduct costs under this category, a person must be functionally incapacitated and unable to complete 2 (or more) of the necessary daily activities for functioning, unless they are assisted by another person. The IRS lists the necessary daily activities as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating and transferring.

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At-Home Nursing Services

This is another category of at-home care, as defined by the IRS, and it’s different from just maintenance and personal care. In this category, a trained nurse will be coming into your home whereas with personal care it may be performed by a personal support worker instead of a licensed and trained nurse.

A trained nurse may provide services like

• • Giving medications
  • Assistance with toileting
  • Bathing and dressing
  • Changing dressings on incisions and wounds

A personal support worker may not be able to give medications or have the training to change dressings on incisions, so these are the two main differences in getting personal assistance and in-home nursing care.

On top of those medical duties, a nurse may help you or your loved one with other tasks around the house to make life easier. This could include a light cleaning up, laundry, and even grocery shopping or meal preparation.

It’s important to note that the household services provided may not be able to be included on your income tax deductions, so you will need to keep a record of wages paid for medical/nursing care and those wages that are paid for the services to help out.

As an exception, if an individual is physically disabled they may be able to write off the helpful services around the house because the person is really unable to do the daily tasks on their own.

On top of that, if your at-home care worker eats at your home (and you’re providing meals for them) you may be able to include this in your tax write offs. You cannot deduct the cost of you and your family’s meals on your taxes, so you will have to determine the cost of just the meals you’ve prepared for your home care worker.

Employment Taxes

Depending on how your at-home care is set up, the person providing the care for you or your loved one could actually be considered a household employee.

This may not always be the case, however if you pay Medicare tax, state tax, social security tax, or any (state or federal) unemployment tax on behalf of the home care worker these expenses may be things you can deduct from your income taxes.

There are documents that can help you determine if this situation applies to you, and if you pay these expenses for your home care worker you can then write them off.

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Home Modifications

Depending on the illness or condition you, or your loved one, are living with you may have needed to make some modifications to your home to make it more accessible and safe to live in.

You may be able to deduct the cost of these modifications from your taxes, as long as these modifications are not going to add to the resale value of your home (provided you own it).

Modifications you can write off could include

• Changing doorways to widen/accommodate for wheelchairs or walkers
• Modifying bathrooms to include grab bars or railings
• Adding an access wheelchair ramp outside of your home
• Stair chair lifts to accommodate moving from floor to floor
• Lowering counters to make them accessible to someone in a wheelchair
• Changing kitchen cabinets to make them more accessible

On top of this, if you or your loved one has a hearing impairment you may be able to deduct the costs of adaptive devices – like TTY – to help navigate.

So, How Much Can You Deduct?

When it comes to filing taxes and preparing your deductions, the amount you can deduct is going to be based on a couple different factors.

The IRS has general guidelines, though, as to exactly how much you can deduct on your taxes. According to the guidelines of the IRS, you are able to deduct whatever medical expenses you have incurred that exceed 10% of your gross income.

If you have insurance that helps to pay for the cost of medical care or at-home care, those premiums may be able to be deducted from your taxes as well.

If you have benefits through your employer, the portion that your employer deducts from your paycheque is not eligible to be deducted on your income tax filing. This is because you’ve already received the tax benefit from that deduction in the form of your income (it lowers your taxable income).

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Keep Your Receipts

In order to write off your expenses, you may need to prove that you paid for the services during the year you’re filing taxes for. You may choose to keep digital receipts or paper receipts, either is fine but just make sure you keep the receipts.

The IRS may audit your filing, especially if there are significant deductions that weren’t there before. If you aren’t sure exactly how or where to deduct from on your taxes, you can hire an accountant to review your situation and make sure you are getting all the deductions you can benefit from.

Your accountant will also be able to make a long-term plan for you, working with your income and your medical needs to make sure you are properly filing and maximizing the amount of benefits you receive.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a condition where you need help at home can be tough, especially if you live on your own. On top of that, knowing that your loved one may be unable to take care of themselves – or certain tasks around the house – can leave you feeling anxious that something is going to happen when you aren’t around.

However, having a home care worker come in that is going to look out for your loved one and take care of them can give you huge peace of mind. The home care worker will make sure medications are given on time, your loved one has clean clothes, is able to bathe and even help them eat properly and clean up around the house.

As much as knowing your loved one is cared for, and has a companion to chat with during the day, it’s impossible to ignore the cost of it and how it can add up over time.

Paying for medical care as we age can become very expensive, but it’s important that we get proper care so that we don’t hurt ourselves or make our conditions worse. Even if you can’t write off the entire cost, or you don’t get the entire cost back, home care is worth it to help take care of you or your loved one.

Home care workers help with medical and personal care needs, but they also provide companionship for your loved one to talk to during the day. They will chat with them, spend time with them and help them out all at the same time.

This gives you the freedom to work and take care of your family without worrying about your loved one, and you can spend time with your loved one as family and not having to be a care giver all the time.

If you have questions about your financial situation and how to write off medical costs, meet with your accountant and make a plan to maximize your benefits and tax returns.

Knowing that everyone is living longer than they ever have before, there is a very good chance you will need medical care beyond a regular doctor or a short hospital stay. Long-term care can become very expensive very quickly, especially if you don’t have any insurance to help you pay for those costs.

When it comes to managing the cost of senior living, there is long-term care insurance that can help you offset the cost of care. Before you make the purchase, though, there are a few things you should consider to make sure you are making the right choice for you.

What, Exactly, Is Long-Term Care Insurance?

In medical terms, long-term care means assistance in living your day-to-day life as you do now. Most people typically think about long-term care as being in a nursing home or retirement facility, but that isn’t the only type of long-term care seniors will need as they age.

The care can include many different things, including a home care worker to come into your home and help you with tasks like cleaning, meal preparation, and laundry. You may also need assistance getting to appointments or picking up groceries.

This kind of care could also arrange for daily activities for seniors so they can remain social and keep in touch with their friends.

Long-term care insurance is a way to make sure you will be able to pay for the care you will need when you age. The amount of coverage you get can depend on what you value and what you want to have in your policy. In general, policies will include:

• Extended nursing home stays
• Specialized care (for Alzheimer’s or dementia care, for example)
• Adult day programs
• Retirement/assisted living communities
• Home care workers
• Respite care
• Hospice care

As you are reviewing plans, it’s important to make sure you know exactly what your plan covers so that, as you age, you know what you’re eligible for and can make plans accordingly. This can be very helpful when the time comes to select a home care worker or retirement community – you’ll want to talk to your insurance provider before choosing an option to make sure you’re covered.

When Are You Eligible To Use the Long-Term Care Insurance?

Various policies may have different age or eligibility requirements for when you can use the insurance, so you’ll have to check your specific policy if/when you get one.

In general, you’re eligible for these benefits when you are unable to perform two activities of daily living on your own. These activities usually include bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, continence and/or toileting. Aside from this, though, cognitive impairment may be an eligibility requirement on its own, especially if it’s a personal safety concern.

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So, How Much Does It Cost?

Well, that’s hard to say for sure. There are many individual factors that can determine your premiums for this kind of insurance policy. As a minimum, though, you can expect to pay at least $1,500 per person per year.

In 2019, the average premiums across the country were

• $3,050 for a 55 year old couple
• $1,700 for a 55 year old single male
• $2,650 for a 55 year old single female

It’s also important to remember that premiums will vary a great deal from provider to provider, based on their underwriting and policies of that insurance company. For this reason, it may make sense to work with an experienced insurance broker to make sure you are getting the best insurance plan and premium for your life. A broker will know exactly what to look for and make sure you’re paying for what you need, rather than a policy that is too expensive for your life.

How Are the Premiums Decided?

As mentioned, the costs per plan will vary from company to company but in general they will all take the following details and factors into consideration when coming up with your premium amount.

Age and overall health

It makes sense that the older you are, and if you have any health issues, your premiums will be much more expensive. Some companies will ask you to have a physical by a doctor to verify your health and that there aren’t any pre-existing conditions.

Gender

While this might not seem fair, we know that women tend to live longer than men do. For this reason, long-term insurance plans will (potentially) have to pay out more in cost for plans for women than they will for men.

Marital Status

If you are a single person, you will pay more per person than married couples do. For example, if your premium as a single is $1,500 a year married couples may only have to pay $2,500 rather than exactly double the single person amount.

Amount of Benefits

If you’re asking for more in coverage then you premiums are going to be higher as the company is covering you against far more risk and cost.

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Benefit Period

If you want your insurance plan to cover you for 10 years you will likely pay less than if you’re asking for 20 years. While it may be hard to decide how many years you’ll need senior care for, it’s an important factor to consider when selecting an insurance policy.

Elimination Period

You may not have heard of this term, but it’s very similar to a deductible on your medical benefits when you’re working. This is the amount of time you have to pay for your own care before your benefits kick in. If you expect your coverage to start right away, you’ll pay higher premiums than if you can wait 180 days.

Inflation Protection

This is usually optional on insurance plans, but it can be a good choice to make – especially if you don’t anticipate needing senior care for a number of years. This add on helps with the cost of care in that if your cost goes up each year, due to inflation, your benefit amount also goes up so you don’t need to worry about making sure your cost of care is covered.

So, Overall – Is It Worth It?

Like with many purchases in life, purchasing long-term care insurance is a really personal choice. It can be extremely beneficial for some people while others never use it so it wasn’t really worth it.

In order to determine if this is the right option for you, you should ask yourself two things

• What is your risk of needing long-term care?
• What will long-term care cost for you without insurance?

The average time a person over 65 needs long-term care is about 3 years, and there’s about a 70% chance that same age group will need some kind of long-term care support. Additionally, one in five of those people will need support/care for more than 5 years.

Knowing that there is a really high chance you will need some type of long-term care support in your life, you need to consider the cost of funding that care. Here are a few examples of annual cost in 2020

• Adult Daycare Programs: $20,085
• Assisted Living Residence/Community: $50,070
• Home Care Services: $53,024
• Private Room in a Nursing Home: $105,266
• Semi-Private Room in a Nursing Home: $92,860

The chance you will need some kind of care is high, and the cost of paying for that care is also very high.

There has been a decrease in people purchasing long-term care insurance in the last few years despite the extremely expensive cost of care. Additionally, many insurance providers have either stopped offering this kind of coverage or the premiums for these insurance plans has increased dramatically.

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To Sum Up

It’s important to remember the figures in this article are average costs, so your care in your senior years may not be as expensive depending on how independent you are and what your healthcare needs are. It is important to note, though, that the cost of caring for seniors is rising as our populations are staying much healthier for much longer than previous generations and so they are needing help and care.

Additionally, it depends on where you live and what programs your region offers. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of seniors then you will likely find there are a lot of senior care facilities so the rates may be lower with care being more available.

If you’re in your mid-50s it may be time to start thinking about purchasing long-term care insurance. Insurance companies know – from history – that many people start to develop serious health conditions after the age of 55, so if you are going to purchase long-term care insurance it’s best to try and do it before you turn 55 to lock in your premiums and make sure they are affordable and give you the coverage you want.

If you have any questions about your insurance needs, set up an appointment with your insurance broker to make sure you’re making the right decision for you and your life.

Poverty among senior citizens is more prominent than many people realize. The reason is that many people often do not save enough for their retirement due to ample reasons.

Suppose you are also above the age of 62 and do not enjoy an annual income that can keep you above the set Federal poverty level. In that case, you also come under the category of low-income senior citizens.

Well, there is no particular age limit for availing of different retirement benefits. For example, you need to be 65 years to qualify for Medicare benefits and 62 years of age to avail of social service advantages. 

The USA witnesses 70 million people attain the age of 62 with a rate of 10,000 every day. However, the sad fact is that most people who come within the bracket of senior citizens and near retirement are not financially secure. 

Also, 78 percent of Americans may not be able to live comfortably once they retire. Thus, if you are also one of those seniors who face a struggle to keep up with necessities of life, including senior housing, Medicare, and food, you, unfortunately, come under the bracket of low-income senior citizens.

What is Regarded as Low Income for Senior Citizens?

The Federal government has set some criteria to recognize low-income senior citizens. These are:

• The person should have attained 60 years of age;
• Second, the person should have an income of less than $30,000 in a year. This amount equals $2,450 monthly or $80 income in a day.

The US Census Board states that about 40 percent of senior citizens above 60 falls into middle-income senior citizens.

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Financial Programs for Low-Income Senior Citizens

The federal government has come up with certain financial assistance programs to help low-income senior citizens. These are:

Social Security

The social security financial program offers $1,460 monthly and $17,500 yearly for senior citizens. However, according to the national cost of living statistics, this income is sufficient to cover only one-third of living expenses for a senior citizen. Thus, it is advisable to look for additional income sources than social security for retirement income. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that an average senior citizen normally spends $4,000 monthly and $46,000 yearly. However, social security only offers one-third of this amount. 

Thus, as per experts, low-income senior citizens should look for alternatives or additional income sources to social security.

Well, here are some additional income options:

Social Security Disability Insurance 

This option is viable for senior citizens who, unfortunately, have any disability. However, the person should have worked under industries recognized by social security. 

Supplemental Security Income

Senior citizens who are either of age 65 years or more are eligible for this income bracket. However, there is a catch as you need to prove that you are a low-income senior citizen with a disability and possessing limited resources. 

Survivor Benefits

This income is paid to senior citizens who are widows or survivors of the deceased employees of Social Security.

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Medical Privileges For Low-Income Senior Citizens

Given below are some financial assistance programs offering medical benefits to low-income senior citizens:

Medicare

Medicare is a health program that is subsidized and offered by the Federal Government. There are three parts of Medicare:

Part A

This part of Medicare includes health insurance free for senior citizens aged 65 years or above. However, these seniors should have paid Medicare taxes for a certain period. 

Part B

This part of Medicare includes medical insurance and costs $134 monthly to the senior citizens.

Part C

This part of Medicare covers most of the prescription drugs.

Medicaid

Medicaid is an effort made by both the Federal government and the state government to offer economic health care programs for citizens. This plan is highly beneficial for low-income senior citizens who do not have enough to spend on Medicare. 

Medicaid covers various expenses, including visits to the healthcare facilities and getting appointments with healthcare providers. Also, the program covers expenses of prescribed drugs, medical transfers and transportations, and hospital services.

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Other Options

In addition to the above-mentioned medical programs, some more options are beneficial for senior citizens who do not have enough income. However, you need to qualify as the per standards set by Social Security Services to avail these options:

• Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals Program
• Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary Program
• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program
• Qualifying Individual Program

Food and Nutrition Programs for Low-Income Senior Citizens

Food is also an essential aspect on which every citizen needs to spend money, let alone senior citizens. Thus, the Federal Government brings certain food and nutrition assistance programs to help seniors who struggle with money.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

As per this program, the government offers monthly stipends to seniors who have low resources. This program is highly beneficial for seniors who need help to purchase their monthly groceries. 

The only condition is that you need to show your low-income proof to be eligible for this program. As per the condition, the senior citizen’s income should not be more than 130 percent of the set poverty level by the Federal Government.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

USDA sponsors this food assistance program and offers booklets and coupons to the seniors who cannot buy their food. These coupons and vouchers can be used at different community-supported programs and farmers’ markets to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and much more. However, these coupons cannot be used to purchase dried goods or canned food items. 

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is an NGO that provides food for millions of American citizens who do not have sufficient money. Recognized by the IRS, the NGO comes under section 501(c)(3). Low-income seniors who do not have enough money to buy their food can take help from this NGO.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

This program benefits the senior citizens with no or very few resources to get some nutrition from their food. They offer nutritious food items such as cereals, pasta, juice, canned meat, fresh vegetables, etc.

Emergency Food Assistance Program 

This program works to offer highly nutritious food items to senior citizens with no resources at no cost. The US Agricultural Department purchases these food items and then ships them to different states. It is then the state’s responsibility to distribute them among food banks and local organizations. These bodies then further distribute the food items among the needy.

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Housing Assistance 

The Federal government also offers assistance to senior citizens who cannot afford housing facilities.

HUD Public Housing

This HUD housing assistance program is administered by the Federal government as well as local housing agencies. The program has been set up to lend a helping hand to senior citizens under the low-income bracket to get a proper house.

Section 8

This program helps senior citizens with low resources and disabilities to find a livable and safe house. Under this section, you get a voucher for subsidized housing. However, it is your task to seek a suitable and subsidized house available in the private market. The selected unit should be able to meet specific safety as well as health standards.

USDA Housing Repair Program

This program has been designed to help senior citizens with fewer resources to repair, improve, and remove any safety or health hazards in their housing units. The program also offers loans to senior citizens to do the same.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage

HECM assists low-income seniors so that they can change a given portion of their home equity into a particular type of usable income. 

Tax Relief

Older adults are eligible for different types of tax relief. This said tax relief applies to different aspects, such as the tax on vehicle license fees, solid waste fees, and tax on real estate or property. These tax relief aspects depend upon different laws and eligibility requisites as set by a state government. 

You can even apply for a particular federal tax credit if your low income comes under the said level and bracket. Senior citizens can also avail themselves of different targeted programs designed to help them manage their living expenses. Local governments or state governments usually administer these tax relief programs. 

Thus, it is advisable to contact different government offices to get clarification on these programs. These offices can also lend you a helping hand in judging the amount of money you need to live under a comfortable scenario. Also, it would be beneficial to know about the benefits you can avail if your income is 185 percent less than the poverty level as set by the Federal government.

The HUD is an agency of the US government that is established for the purpose of homeownership and community development.

The HUD implements the Fair Housing Act and provides housing assistance through the Voucher program for Housing choice and the Community Development Block Grant.

Applying for Housing and Urban Development Benefits:

When anyone talks about a HUD application, it is about applying to Section 8 housing.

Low-income housing for senior citizens is available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are 23 programs that are made available for seniors age 55 and older or 62 and older depending on the program. HUD is administered solely by the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

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Public Housing 

You can check the Public Housing Agencies of HUD in the local; these generally work with community programs which for the couples, elderly individuals run housing complexes. Be aware that there is usually a waiting list in case of residential units.

If a housing complex is allotted for people who are older than 62, then those have this age can stay there. In case, a complex is assigned for people 55 years of age and those who are older, then the occupancy must be eighty percent in that age category.

Levels of Eligibility

The median income in an area is set at a 50 percent basis line by the Federal program. The differentiation of lower-income can be done further by the Public housing programs. Certain programs will work along with low income participants where the income is less than median income or 30 percent. Some programs work with individuals with as high as 80 percent of the median income.

To give you some perspective, San Francisco has declared that the eligibility for the median income program of fifty percent is for those having annual income of $46,100 and $115,300 is the median income that is set.

The median income programs of 80 percent have an income of $73,750 as eligibility. 

The residential housing program you are allotted might be determined after checking your low-income status. The income status can also affect the amount of subsidy you receive.

Application Process for HUD Housing:

• Get On the Waitlist for the Application Process 

The HUD eligibility is basically determined on a first-served and first-come basis and there is a waiting list for all applicants. You have the option to go for pre-application which will help you get a place on a waiting list when a waitlist opens. The problem is that with limited funding and high demand, the occasional opening of the waitlists is observed.

Now, if you are suffering from hardship and cannot wait for a year or so, you may approach the local housing authority, because here priority is given to families having no homes or involuntary displacement or households going through hardships. 

• Apply For A Voucher

Once your waitlist number has reached you can formally apply for a voucher.

Keep in mind that you have to find a rental unit within 90 days of receiving a voucher.

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What Are the Documents Needed to Verify Eligibility for HUD?

Documents for Proof of Residential Status: If you are an applicant, you must be a U.S. citizen or a status of legal resident alien in the US. 

These include:

• The numbers of Social Security 
• Any of the National ID
• License as a State driver and
• All the birth certificates of household members

Proof of Income documents: All household earners have to submit their proof of income. 

These include:

• Alimony and child support
• Wages and Salary
• Unemployment benefits, veteran and Social Security
• Benefits from Pension.

Documents that will show the proof of assets, like savings.

Who Will Not Be Eligible to get Section 8:

• Applicants with a  violent criminal record and drug-related are basically not eligible to get Section 8.
• In case one is caught in the past because of fraudulent activity or is evicted with a connection to federally assisted housing programs, then they are disqualified from Section 8.

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How do I Apply for HUD through Websites Online?

Using the websites of housing authorities one can apply for HUD, from which applications are accepted.

Every subsidized unit has to meet the quality standards of the housing which will ensure that there is a safe and healthy place for your family to live.

Any applicant can obtain Section 8 by applying online at the city housing authority office of their state. There can be changes in rules based on the local authorities there. Though a resident of an area who got a voucher from the area where they live can use it anywhere across the country.

On the other hand, if you are a nonresident of the jurisdiction, you will have to live in the jurisdiction that issues the HUD application online for a voucher for 12 months before you can move to another area.

The priority of vouchers of that housing authority is reserved for people who are residing in the service area.

What Are vouchers of the Housing Choice?

This program is by the federal government which is in order to assist the elderly, very low-income families, and the disabled which will help them have affordable access to safe, decent, and sanitary housing. As, this assistance is given on behalf of the individual or family; they will be able to find their own townhouses, single-family homes, and apartments.

If you are eligible and interested in the program, know that you have an option to freely choose any of the housing which will meet the program requirements; it is not limited to those units which are located in subsidized housing projects.

These vouchers are locally administered by PHAs. These receive funds from the HUD to administer this program.

Those who have a housing voucher have a responsibility to find a housing unit of their choice whose owner will not have an issue to rent under this program. It can also include the present residence of the family. Though these rental units have to meet certain health and safety standards of the PHA.

The subsidy is directly paid to the landlord on the families behalf by the PHA. The difference between the subsidized amount and rent has to be paid by the family.A voucher can be used to buy a modest home if it is PHA authorized.

There can be thousands of families in the waiting list of section 8 of the Public Housing Agencies. Three to six years of waiting period is common in order to access the vouchers of the HUD; out of which many lists have been closed for those who apply then.

Waitlists may get opened for five days which is less. There is a lottery approach that is used by certain public housing agencies. Where the spots available and applicant list have huge differences. Spots in general are awarded based on non-weighted or weighted lotteries. Priority is given to the disabled, elderly, local residents, or veterans sometimes. 

Chances for someone to receive on spot on this waiting list are not guaranteed.

In a nutshell, the HUD, provides assistance for renters as well as homebuyers seeking mortgage approval. You can also avail of the Emergency assistance program for temporary shelter.

Section 8 is nothing but the voucher program. It helps renters who otherwise can’t afford suitable housing. Through funding from HUD, local public housing authorities subsidize the difference between market rent and what applicants can afford.

To get any help, you can visit PHA. As there are waiting lists in the PHAs, it is better to apply in more than one PHA. Having a list of PHAs where you can use the vouchers will help you apply easily. 

To get information about the voucher program, you can contact either the Office of Public Housing or the local Public Housing Agency serving your community within the local office of HUD. We would like to remind you that there is a chance of waiting time for assistance in the voucher program. HUD also administers other subsidized programs and you may obtain a list of programs in your area from the Office of Housing at your local HUD office.

We hope that this article has answered your queries related to how to apply for HUD Senior Housing. Do let us know if you have any suggestions or comments to add!

 Check out the list below to help and guide you about housing for seniors

1. Assisted Living Insurance Costs
2. How to Get Into Assisted Living With No Money
3. How to Decide Where to Live in Retirement
4. Life Expectancy in Assisted Living
5. Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
6. How Does One Pay for Assisted Living?

There are plenty of things to look forward to as you age. As a retired older American, you would most probably be looking forward to a relaxed lifestyle and spending more time with the family.

And of course, as retirement draws near, some people decide to live in a 55+ or Active Adult community, but there are a few things you should know before committing.

What is 55 and Older Housing?

The 55+ or Active Adult community is designed specifically for older adults aged 55 and older. The whole community, including floor plans and expected home maintenance to community events and resources, are set up to cater to older homeowners.

As the name suggests, these communities are age-restricted. This means that all residents have to be aged 55 or older to purchase a property in the community. We have a separate article on benefits for seniors over 55.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Let’s take a look at the 55 and older rules and the exemption to the rules.

55 and Older Community Rules and Requirements

To start with, the Federal Housing Act will prohibit “denial of housing or real estate transactions based on color, race, national origin, sex, religion, familial status, and handicap.”

If the age of a person has not been included, then communities and developers are allowed to lay restrictions on those who are eligible to own property; this is mainly within the communities of 55+.

Now, are you wondering whether these 55 and older communities are all strictly “senior adults only”?

Not necessarily. Allow us to elaborate.

When looking at most 55+ community requirements, there are two standard rules. The first says that each household must have a resident who is 55 years of age or older.

The second of the 55+ community rules relates to the rest of the members of the household—spouses, partners, and children. In most cases, the minimum ages for other residents are set at 40 for a spouse or partner and 18 for a child.

Here are some commonly asked questions about 55 and older community rules:

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Can Children Live in 55+ Communities?

Simply put, the answer is no.

This does not mean that you cannot have your grandkids visiting you at all! Finding a retirement community that will allow the kids to stay there full-time is hard and rare.

The kids can visit you in these communities often. Younger residents are welcome as guests, generally on a short-term basis. The rules of visiting children vary with each community, but two weeks to 30 days is the typical range of time you’ll spend each visit with your grandkids or minor children. 

The Two Common Rules in Age Restricted Communities:

• Rule number one is that each household (or a certain percentage of the households) must have a resident age 55 or older.
• Rule number two adds an age restriction for the remaining members of the household. They could be a spouse, partner, or child.

These minimum ages set for the additional members stand at 40 for a spouse or partner. The child has to be an adult child. That is, he/she should be 18 years of age.

The retirement community can also set guidelines for how long a minor child (such as grandchildren) can stay in the condo with community residents.

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The 80/20 Rule in Active Adult Communities

Did you stumble on the ’80/20″ rule when you researched adult communities who are 55+?

If you did you know that according to the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (HOPA), at least 80 percent of the occupied units of an age-restricted community must include one permanent resident aged 55 or older, and the housing facility must show an intent to provide housing for those 55 and up.

The “intent to provide housing for those 55 and up” is important to the remaining 20% of the rule. That doesn’t mean that the community lifts the age restrictions for 20% of its units.

This allows some flexibility in case of an issue that violates the age restriction. For example, imagine that a 67-year-old and 52-year-old move into a 55+ community home, and the older occupant passes away. In this case, the younger residents can remain in the home under the 20% cushion of the 80/20 rule.

In all the households minimum age requirement is maintained by the retirement communities.  

How to Choose a 55 and Older Community:

Here are some aspects you should take into account while choosing a 55+ Community:

Your Interest in Active Adult Communities

Interest in age-restricted communities is generally on the rise. But this is about what you prefer and where your interests lie.

If you’re contemplating moving into an age-restricted community, then you need to research more before you find your choice. While these communities offer an opportunity to get lower maintenance of the lifestyle, they also vary in many ways.

The occupancy is high, most are owned by their occupants, but a growing number are rentals. There should be at least one resident person in each property who is aged 55 or more. 

Before getting settled in the age-restricted community, factors that are to be considered are. 

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Your Retirement Savings and Affordability

Do you still have mortgage payments and housing loans to pay off? Do you still see yourself being able to live comfortably in the community? If so, go ahead! Factor in the cost of rent or mortgage payments, and add in the cost of homeowners’ association or community fees, which often run around a few hundred dollars per month!

Oh, and remember that while some 55+ communities have restaurants, your fees won’t cover meals or health care. So budget for those expenses. The monthly fees of the 55+ age-restricted community will include exterior maintenance, like snow removal, lawn care, and maintenance of the pool or clubhouse. 

We suggest that you sit down with a financial planner to run the numbers to make sure the ongoing costs of your new home won’t impact your long-term financial security.

You can get a sense of what’s out there by searching 55places.com, which offers ratings, reviews, and information on activities and amenities for thousands of communities across the country.

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Your Interest in Social Activities

The answer to this question solely depends on what you are hoping to get out of the development. And consider your needs and wants both now as well as in the future.

An active adult community has clubhouses, organized activities, and packed social calendars with everything from holiday parties to cruises to local attractions. Others might have few structured activities. If you don’t find the popular activities in the development appealing (or if you prefer not to socialize much), you’ll want to look for some independent living facility.

Choice of Community

You can find many niche communities these days. They are designed to meet the requirements of specific groups starting from Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville-themed developments to LGBT-focused communities. There are a growing number of niche communities explicitly designed to cater to particular interests and groups, from LGBT-focused communities to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville-themed developments; If you are searching for a particular slot of the community, then you can find that in the marketing material on the website. Communities that cater to a niche will mention it on their websites and in their marketing materials. When you visit the place, ask around to know about that place.

Some developments and the homeowners association will let you stay overnight in a model home for a few nights or a week to get the actual experience of what it would be like to live there. 

How Long Can You Live There?

There is a chance that you can get lured by active adult communities. In case you have a plan to stay in that home all through retirement, there can be a change of needs as time passes. Planning now for your housing in a decade will let you remain in your home independently for longer.

Look for a home with “universal design” features like wider hallways and doorways, single-floor living, no-step entries to allow for wheelchairs, in case you’ll need them one day. Such features should be available in a 55 plus community, such that they blend in the architecture. 

How Well You Like the Surrounding Area

Even in communities having various amenities of recreation, you’ll likely want to go out sometimes. Make sure that you can take advantage of things you enjoy off-campus, such as shopping or hiking.

If you are a person who travels a lot or has visitors over regularly, consider the proximity of the closest airport. This is particularly important if you’re moving to a different region of the country.

The reasons for moving to a senior community in another state often include the weather and a lower cost of living.

Think, too, about how the surrounding area would serve your needs in the future. Ideally, this means a walkable community or one with a robust system of public transportation.

At an advanced age, you will be more concerned about the availability of medical help and the ease of access to a nursing home rather than an urban condo and an array of fancy amenities!

We suggest you focus on easy access to health care, including a primary care physician and specialty doctors and hospitals you might need in the future.

We hope this article has given you enough insights into the rules and exemption to the rules commonly put down by a 55 plus community. Do let us know if you have any suggestions in the comments below.

Social Security Administration is a program that the federal agency runs, and it provides Social Security for Disability Insurance, Survivors, and Old-age, popularly known as the OASDI program. 

Social Security works as the foundation for economic security, which is given to millions of Americans who can be any of these: deceased or chronically ill workers, retired families, disabled persons, and retirees. Social Security mostly talks about retirement benefits and also provides disability income and survivor benefits. 

The income of Social Security is given to those who age 62, so if you are someone who is close to turning 62, then start claiming for benefits now. Though social security insurance money will help cover assisted living costs, it may not help you sustain completely.

These sustenance issues are of major concern to most of the elderly. It is because expenses on medicines, skilled nursing, and other services in the long term will burn the savings of the elderly.

When elderly do not have a monthly income, they will pay the assisted living costs using their personal assets, retirement savings, and investment incomes. Some elders may be relying on the SSI payment, but this may not be sufficient.

Will Social Security Pay for Assisted Living

Yes, Social Security will pay for assisted living. Social Security makes use of optional state supplements and will offer assistance to the seniors who stay in the assisted living. 

But, the assistance is only provided if the eligibility criteria of the federal authorities are met by the applicant. Let us see how much financial assistance is provided by Social Security for assisted living. 

The benefits of Social Security vary based on the earnings, using which you paid the taxes for Social Security. For example, in 2020, insurance payment for Social Security was $18,036; based on this, benefits vary. But there is a cap on the income that should be accounted for when benefits of social security are calculated.

To consider an example, in 2019 cap on income was $137,700, above which benefits are not calculated. So, a retiree who has filed for the benefits in 2020 has received $3,011 monthly

But the cap set is closer to the lowest average of assisted living costs, which will not benefit much for those who live in assisted living facilities as the money they get is very less.

So, they will have to add extra money picked from their savings, investments or pensions, to pay the costs of the nursing home or assisted living facilities. Most of the older adults use money from private funds to cover these extra expenses. 

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Eligibility requirements for Social Security Benefits when the applicant is a Worker:

When a person is a worker and if he wants to get Social Security Benefits he has to be:

• Aged 62 or more, or blind or disabled and 
• Have enough work credits and must be Insured.

What to do when Social Security payments do not cover the assisted living program?

The older adult can make use of financial channels or government programs other than the benefits of Social Security to pay for the assisted living.

You need to make a list of the government programs or financial channels that will give you money once you pick the apt one; you can calculate how to put the Social Security benefits and these funds together to pay for the assisted living. 

Before you plan to pick anything, you better calculate the payments of Social Security payments, which will give a clear idea on how to use and what to expect of the money you get from the Social Security program. 

Let us talk about other programs for assisted living:

#1 Supplemental Security Income:

Meaning of Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income, popularly known as SSI, is a kind of federal financial help that is given to seniors having limited assets and income. This is administered by social security. 

Eligibility Requirements for Supplemental Security Income

Before a person qualifies for the SSI program, his income is first evaluated by the government. Once assessed, the government agrees to proceed. Further, the program will supplement the required money for filling the gap and bringing the income to a pre-established amount. Monthly income is a major criteria in deciding eligibility

For a senior citizen to be eligible for the benefits of federal SSI, he has to prove he has a monthly income (combined with a partner or individually) less than the amount that is set for that year.

If you are deemed eligible to get Supplemental Security Income, then they are eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Application for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security benefits are the same. But some additional information is needed from a person before Social Security benefits are awarded to him. 

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#2 Optional State Supplements

What Are Optional State Supplements?

Optional State Supplements, also known as OSS, are financial help that is state-based which are given on top of the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security also administers these. These are also referred to as State Supplementary Payments (SSP).

In some states, those seniors who live in assisted living facilities qualify for Optional State Supplements. These financial benefits are generally based on the level of income and will help in paying for a room and also board costs at the assisted living facilities. 

You should remember that you must be eligible for SSI benefits. This explains that the Optional State Supplement benefits can be provided on top of the benefits of SSI.

The Optional State Supplement benefits will not be directly received like SSI or Social Security benefits. The Optional State Supplement benefits will be directly paid to the assisted living facility.

How Does OSS Work?

Optional State Supplements are complicated and confusing to understand easily. But we have to remember about one point of Optional State Supplements:

It is good to focus on those states that can help low-income retirees to afford for assisted living costs in the following two ways:

• By limiting the amount of money which an assisted living facilities can charge for board and room 
• By paying for an assisted living room and board costs through Optional State Supplements

Eligibility criteria for Optional State Supplements

Eligibility rules vary from state to state. But these all are based on the income of an individual. Say, for example, you will be eligible for Optional State Supplements if the income level is below or at the federal SSI benefit level.

This explains that money available via Optional State Supplement benefits and the eligibility rules will vary between states.

When we talk about Optional State Supplement eligibility criteria, remember that some states may pick entirely different scales while setting Optional State Supplement eligibility criteria or income eligibility levels. 

Some states will prefer to set the income cut-off lower or higher than the federal SSI level. One criteria being:

Senior Living Arrangement

If you have to be eligible for Optional State Supplements, you have to stay in an adult foster care home or an assisted living facility. 

Different states have different definitions stating the criteria of living in an adult foster care or assisted living means. So you have to find out from your states what the eligibility rules are and plan accordingly.

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Does Location Matter When We Talk about Optional State Supplements?

States like Mississippi, Alabama, Washington and Kansas will not offer Option States Supplements like the other states. Some states cap the chargeable amount of a room of the assisted living facilities.

These capped amounts will match with the Income benefits of the federal supplemental security. This states that a senior who is qualified for the SSI benefits can be able to afford the costs of assisted living costs making use of these SSI benefits. This type of arrangement can be seen in the states like Ohio and Indiana. 

But all assisted living facilities need not hold to this cap. The facility can charge longer as they want when they don’t accept Medicaid. This explains that those assisted living facilities that accept Medicaid have to apply these caps on the chargeable amounts.

Documents that are Required for Applying for Optional State Supplements

The application processes and administering agencies for OSS will vary from each state. Certain states give eligibility based on Medicaid. If you are receiving Medicaid benefits, then you automatically will be eligible for OSS and SSI. 

But some states may want you to apply to receive the Optional State Supplements benefits. The documents that you have to give as a piece of evidence for the eligibility are: 

• Age proof (the adult must be 65 and above)
• Social Security Number
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of income
• Work history
• Living arrangements – proof (you will have to prove that you live in an adult foster care facility or an assisted living facility)

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There Are Many Programs Apart From SSI For Assisted Living

Social security pays for the assisted living, and some other government programs also provide benefits, which are discussed above. We are hoping that the information in this article was helpful and informative to you. We will be happy to hear from you through the comment sections and will take in your suggestions! 

We come across many elderly who rely on fixed incomes and also on assistance programs from federal finances for their livelihood. These incomes will help the elderly cover their expenses. 

But, Social Security and SSI are not always enough for paying their living expenses which includes housing. That is why many older adults look for low-income senior housing facilities.

There are many low-income housing facilities for seniors. These facilities are available in the private market and also provided by the government.

This article will help you find some low-income senior housing facilities and help you with the types available and how to apply and qualify for these programs. 

What Is Low-Income Senior Housing?

These housing units are nothing but a part of apartment communities that offer mortgages and rents at reasonable prices to low-income senior citizens. It will allow the seniors who survive at low income to have enough money, which will enable them to spend on services and essential commodities like groceries and utility bills each month.

But, senior citizens who have limited mobility or suffer from chronic health issues will prefer moving into an assisted living facility which will give them assistance and medical aid. But these are expensive, so they prefer picking the support programs of HUD. 

Below are some low-income senior housing types which are available for the seniors. 

Affordable Senior Housing-Types

We come across many subsidized programs that the HUD supports to provide housing at affordable prices to low-income citizens. Below, we will list some of them.

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#1 Supportive Housing for the Elderly As Per Section 202

Suppose you are elderly looking to live independently and occasionally require assistance for some daily chores and activities. In that case, you can pick section 202 as one of the options. This program suits the physically weaker elderly who require help with activities like transportation, cooking, and cleaning.

The HUD provides finances and loans for private organizations, non-profit organizations to help them facilitate the low-income seniors to afford rental housing. They will help in setting amenities for the elderly by giving rent subsidies. 

Some features and amenities provided by the Section 202 housing programs are :

• Services such as transportation, medication, counseling, referral services, meal delivery, and housekeeping. 
• There is scope to find a single-bedded apartment with a kitchen and bathroom with the help of the Section 202 program.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for Section 202?

The applicant must be 62 years or more and should have a meager household income, which is 50% of that area’s median income.

You will be considered if:

• You are living in a substandard housing
• You have been displaced involuntarily or
• You are paying 50% of your current income in rent.

Applying for Section 202 

If you are interested in a particular senior housing community, you can contact them asking for information and the application process. They will guide you better in applying for Section 202. There is a chance that you might be on a waiting list for one year so start early if you want one.  

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#2 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

The IRS administers the LIHTC program. It will constitute the rehabbing of rental housing units by the developers and investors for building or buying. The developers and investors will get the tax credits for this.

In exchange for these, they get the entire apartment’s portion kept aside for the sake of low-income or fixed-income tenants.

Eligibility Requirements for Qualifying LIHTC

The eligibility requirements for the LIHTC are mentioned below:

• The senior citizen should have a minimum age which ranges in between 55 and 62.
• The citizen should also have a fixed or limited income which is around 60% of the median income in that area.
• In certain cases, this income can be as high as 80% or low as 30%.
• You can be eligible for LIHTC if you have other assets or own a home. But, there is a condition in this case. The LIHTC requirements say that you can keep your home as an investment, but you cannot live there once you get selected for LIHTC.

LIHTC Housing-Types

The housing types in LIHTC communities are one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments which are built specifically for seniors. These communities have events that are meant for seniors, common spaces, and also recreational facilities. Be aware that you may have to bring your own or buy some furniture as most of these subsidized housing in a LIHTC community are unfurnished.

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#3 Housing Choice Voucher Program

This program is known as Section 8. This is another affordable senior housing program that is managed at the state level for helping senior citizens and also disabled people, and low-income families.

These housings are privately owned, but seniors may be able to receive rental assistance. You will have to qualify to receive housing vouchers for utilities and rent, which are based on your income.

This is because you will be paying 30% of your monthly gross income for utilities and rent. You can also utilize the voucher for paying most or all of the difference amount. You can make use of these vouchers to invest in the home.

To get more information about the application process, contact your local public housing agency.

These Section 8 housing units will have regular inspections for determining whether or not these meet the prescribed standards of public housing agencies. Later, the report will be used to calculate the maximum amount of housing assistance that is available for you.

Criteria to Qualify for Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Qualification requirements for the Section 8 Housing Vouchers are :

• The applicant must be 62 years old and also satisfy these several other specifications: 
• The applicant must pass the background screening for family compositions, asset estimate, and income eligibility assessment. Remember that your assets can be included as part of your annual income.
• The public housing agency will conduct further screening. The agency will screen you based on bank information, employer, family composition, and assets. 
• You should not exceed the income limits of the HUD. This states that your annual income should be 50% or less than the median income in your area. Median income varies from place to place. 

If you are deemed eligible by this housing agency under Section 8 of housing vouchers, they will assist you immediately or place you on the waiting list based on your situation. You may contact the local public housing agency to apply for the vouchers, where you will have to submit all the information that is asked or required for them. 

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#4 Public Housing

Public housings are apartment complexes or high-risers which are overseen by the city or country public housing agencies. These are affordable housing options that will cater to low-income seniors and families.   

Eligibility criteria for public housing are:

• The applicant should be of low-income
• Seniors must pay 30% of their income for housing expenses, utilities, and rent to be considered for the program.

#5 Private Housing

If you are elderly searching for an affordable private apartment, this HUD program will help low-income senior citizens get private apartments that will offer subsidized rents.

You will have to meet the requirements, but unlike in the case of public housing, one can apply for private housing at the management of the apartment. You may go on the waiting list when you apply for this. The affordable apartment can be searched here, and you will be good to go when you find one. 

Note: If you are looking for private housing, you should know that the demand for subsidized private and public housing is high, and in most cases, the applicant will be on a waiting list.

This is based on your location and the situation of the apartment. For example, you may have the upper hand if you are choosing to live in a unit that is substandard, if you are ok to pay over half of your income rent or if you’re involuntarily displaced.

This is based on your location and the situation of the apartment. For example, you may have the upper hand if you are choosing to live in a unit that is substandard, if you are ok to pay over half of your income rent or if you’re involuntarily displaced.

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How Do We Find Low-Income Senior Housing?

The government does not subsidize all senior housing that comes at affordable prices, which are called low-income. To find your budget-friendly senior housing, you have to access the rental market today first. 

Once you take the rental market stock, you can consider your monthly budget, location requirements, and amenities that you prefer. If you have a plan to downsize, then you should consider the number of bedrooms you need. You can check sites like ForRent.com to find low-income senior housings, which will have options for affordable apartments. 

You can also contact the HUD office or local public housing agency for this. These offices will direct and advise you on how to apply for the same. Making use of the zip code, you can search on a state-by-state senior living directory for a housing facility. 

I hope the information in this article was helpful to you and helped you find affordable housing. We would love to take in your suggestions, which you can mention in the comment sections below!

As we know, when we age and need more medical assistance our bills can greatly increase and adequate care can become very expensive very quickly.

Our family members likely have a pension and savings they have worked for their whole lives, but what if that isn’t enough for them to live off of when they need to move into a nursing home?

Are other family members responsible for paying nursing home bills? Who pays for nursing home care if those being cared for can’t afford it? Here’s what you need to know so you can determine how, and if, you can help.

Government Involvement

As many Canadians know, our provincial and federal governments help foot the bill for most of our healthcare costs for much of our lives and nursing home care really isn’t any different for the most part.

In almost all Canadian provinces, the government will help subsidize the cost of nursing home care but residents must also help pay a portion of it so the government isn’t paying for the full cost.

The amount that residents must help with personally varies from province to province, and may also depend on the income of the resident once retired.

Across the country, there are also private nursing home facilities that are not subsidized by the government at all.

In these cases, the residents who live there would be completely responsible for the entire cost. The monthly bill for these kinds of facilities often depends on the amenities and level of care each one offers.

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Cost per Province

The cost residents pay, per day, for nursing home care varies from province to province. Some provinces ask their residents to pay for care and accommodation costs while others only ask for care costs to cover medical needs.

Certain provinces have implemented a flat fee model so that everyone in the province pays the same rate, per day, for their nursing home care.

This amount is based off of those who are receiving government assistance and/or basic pension. The amount collected allows them to pay for their care and retain a little bit in savings for their own personal spending needs.

Other provinces have implemented a sliding scale model so that the amount each resident pays is based on their income and ability to pay.

This still ensures that those who are low income have access to adequate care as they age, and they can still have their own discretionary spending.

If you have concerns about what your loved one qualifies for under your specific provincial legislation, you can contact local nursing home facilities and ask to sit down and speak with them about the specifics of care.

Accessing Financial Help from your Provincial Government

Some provinces will automatically give help to pay for nursing home care when your loved one applies to move into one, but not all do. Some provincial governments require the individual to apply for any financial assistance that they might need to help pay for care.

If you are handling your elderly loved one’s finances, you may want to look into all assistance your province gives to seniors to pay for nursing home care.

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Family Member Involvement

The question of whether the family of the resident is responsible for payment for their loved one to live in a nursing home facility, and the answer to the – unfortunately – depends on which family member it is.

Spouses

It is not uncommon for an elderly couple to have one partner move into a nursing home before the other due to needing extra medical care or the attention that the other partner just cannot provide, especially in taking care of themselves.

When it comes to this situation, married couples would be responsible to make sure the nursing home bills are paid on time, as needed. This is part of being legally married, and would come with all the same financial responsibilities.

Children

If you are responsible for your parents’ care as they age, they may have also signed over power of attorney for you to make important decisions on their behalf including financial ones. You will be in charge of making sure their bills get paid on time from their own personal accounts and investments.

You will be required to make sure that they pay their bills from their own accounts and keep their finances in order but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to dip into your own savings to pay for nursing care for your parents.

Your Responsibility in Helping Your Loved One Pay for Care

While there may not be any legal responsibilities for helping your parents pay for nursing care as they age, you will still likely want to help them and make sure they are well cared for.

Your parents may have a unique or complicated medical condition that requires specialized or extra care, and that can sometimes cost more money than basic senior care.

Your loved one may be struggling to pay for the medical care they need, especially if they don’t have a large pension or the right amount of savings to keep up on their bills.

This could be where you come in. You can help pay for your parents’ care – if you want to. You can pool your resources with your siblings and arrange for nursing home care at a rate you can afford to pay.

As much as you want to help your parents, after all they did raise and care for you and your siblings for years, make sure you do not max yourself out because you still need to save for your own future.

There is nothing wrong with helping them out, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize your ability to pay your own bills and take care of your family.

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Filling the Gaps in Adequate Senior Care

As mentioned, each province has publically funded nursing homes that your loved one can move into when they need full-time care, or just more care than what you can provide.

The issue that many Canadians are facing is that the publically run facilities are understaffed and severely underfunded. This means that any senior Canadian with a complicated medical condition, or even one that needs special care like Alzheimer’s, may not be able to access the care needed in these nursing homes.

This means they will need to go seek out their care in privately run homes, and that can become very expensive.

Families are stuck because they don’t want to see their loved one in a place that doesn’t care for them properly given their condition, but they also may not have the means to pay for it when they still have their own financial obligations.

It’s Not Just About the Nursing Home

While paying for the nursing home may be the most expensive part of senior care, it’s not the only part.

If your loved one requires a walker or a wheelchair, for example, to keep their mobility while in the nursing home, the resident (or their family) is responsible for paying for the device.

A new walker can cost up to $500, while a good wheelchair can be almost $5,000 to purchase.

There are many additional expenses to providing care for your parents or elderly loved ones, and you probably don’t realize exactly how much it’s going to cost until you’re in the middle of it.

There can even be a lot of time off work to help take them to appointments or visit with doctors when you need to, and that can mean a loss of income for you.

Many Canadians are not quite prepared to help care for their aging parents, and it can be a big shock when the time comes.

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Alternatives to Nursing Homes for Senior Care

When your parents become unable to properly care for themselves in small ways it doesn’t mean you have to put them into a nursing home right away.

If they need help with tasks like laundry, meal preparation or even bathing you can look at hiring a home care worker to come in a few times a week and give them a hand.

This can also make your parents feel a little better as they are able to stay in their own home and maintain their independence, for the most part. Additionally, paying for home care workers to come in is much less expensive than paying for full-time nursing home care.

We always want to make sure our parents are getting the very best care possible, especially as they age and their medical conditions can become much more serious.

Individuals may have the ability to move their parents into their homes and help care for them, but that doesn’t mean everyone can do that. Sometimes we live hours away from our parents, or our home setup just doesn’t allow for it.

When your parents cannot provide the right care for themselves any longer and they need help, you might be considering a nursing home to help. The costs can be quite high, though, so it’s important to make sure the financial support is there and your loved one will be adequately cared for.