Importance of Researching Orlando Nursing Homes Ahead of Time
If your family member needs round-the-clock care, you might be considering an assisted living facility or nursing home. Planning ahead for Medicaid eligibility is extremely important, but it’s not the only advance planning that should be done. It’s also essential to research nursing homes before making any decisions. This research can help reduce the risk of potential abuse or neglect when your family member has been transferred to the facility. If you or a family member need assistance with planning ahead for long-term care, contact an Orlando elder law attorney.
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid will pay for long-term care if you qualify. The program requires that your assets be spent completely down before qualifying, which would leave you with nothing if you are able to leave the nursing home at some point, or if you have a spouse and/or child. The idea of being penniless to go into a nursing home is definitely not the ideal course of action. This is why you need to meet with an Orlando nursing home and Medicaid planning attorney as soon as possible.
Choosing the Right Nursing Home
Nursing homes are extremely expensive. Most individuals cannot afford to pay out of pocket, which is why Medicaid planning is so crucial. You don’t want you or your loved one to be subjected to a lower-quality nursing home because you are trying to afford it on your own.
Choosing a top-ranked facility is very important. You want to make sure your family member is well taken care of and receives the best care possible. Be sure to visit these facilities and conduct home inspections and compare your pros and cons of each one. You also want to look online, read reviews, and look for any negative information, judgments, etc. that could point to problems.
However, even if you choose the top-ranked facility and find nothing wrong, it doesn’t guarantee there won’t be problems down the line. Nursing homes are notorious for paying lower salaries, which leads to a lot of turnover. The staff you see today when you visit is not likely to be the same staff a year or two from now.
After reviewing homes, you may decide that home healthcare is the preferred way to go. Medicaid can pay for some home care, which is why it’s crucial to plan ahead to make sure you are eligible if and when the time comes.
Options for Medicaid Eligibility
Everyone’s situation is different, which is why we recommend working with an attorney. They can help you decide what options will work best for you. There are ways to keep your home still and get Medicaid to pay for long term care. You may need to look at setting up a special trust if you have a disability. There are stringent eligibility and income requirements that you must meet before qualifying for Medicaid. Also, if you try to become eligible by giving financial gifts when you are ready to apply, you will be denied. Medicaid will look at your transfers very closely for potentially up to five years before coverage is set to start.
Contact a Florida Elder Law Attorney
If you need assistance with nursing home or Medicaid planning, let our skilled Florida attorneys help. Contact the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A. today to schedule an initial consultation.
https://sheafugate.com/tips-for-nursing-home-planning-in-orlando/
