Suddenly becoming a caregiver for an aging parent can be very scary and difficult. How will they pay for a nursing home? What do you do if they are losing their memory? What if they cannot handle money anymore? How can you protect their assets from being clawed back by Medi-Cal if they end up on it in the last few months of their lives? This handbook will also be useful for those who are 65 and older and already on Medicare.
I was a team lead and case manager working in a Medi-Cal funded program in CA. I found the best ways to access resources for my clients and even wrote a training manual for others to help them perform their roles as money managers, clinicians and case managers for our older adult clients. My friends and family keep coming to me with their questions and concerns about their parents, and I have been able to help them answer important questions like:
How do you reduce your monthly income legally in order to qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal and other low income resources
How do you get control over a parent’s Social Security and when might you need to consider conservatorship
How do you differentiate between symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and what steps need to be taken to get a diagnosis
This handbook is intended to help you avoid the worst case scenarios at a time when you will already be very stressed and sad about your loved one’s health. Situations such as:
- Overstaying the Medicare 60 day limit at a hospital and having to pay $400 and then $800 a day after the co-payment
- Having your loved one kicked out of a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF/Rehabilitation) after the 20 days covered by Medicare even if they are not ready, because they cannot afford $200/day co-payment from days 21 to 100
- Not being able to afford In Home Support Services, which would allow your loved one to stay in their home for as long as possible with help for activities of daily living - including paramedical supports
How do I know this is a legitimate source of information?
Check my Psychology Today profile and my NPI (National Provider Identification number) in the database NPI lookup and you will see I am who I say I am.
Why does it cost $75?
This handbook could save you thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars if you can use the tips in it to avoid healthcare costs not covered by Medicare and Private Insurers. Also, it is written simply and clearly and will give you vital information during a stressful time. All of the needed government forms are included, along with best practices for accessing resources and benefits.
IMPORTANT: ANY AND ALL ADVICE IN THIS HANDBOOK IS LIMITED TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ONLY
If you live in California, are struggling with managing the care of an aging loved one and are interested in receiving this information, then this handbook is for you.