We have inquiries daily regarding the availability of low-income assisted living. Although it exists, there is an extremely limited supply — government-subsidized (Section 202 program) housing will often have a waiting list of several years — and with 11,000 Americans becoming new seniors everyday, a crisis is looming.
But, enough gloom and doom, if you’ve hit the wall in your search for low-income assisted living, Medicare-subsidized home health care may be a viable option for you. It would enable you to stay in your home and receive up to 28 hours per week of home health care services.
These are the hoops you must jump through:
- You have to be homebound. You have to need a wheelchair or a walker or another device — or another person — to help you move around.
- A doctor must prescribe a “plan of care” stating that you need skilled therapeutic or nursing help, and this plan must be reconfirmed every 60 days. If you don’t need skilled help, however, Medicare won't pay.
- You must use a Medicare-certified home health agency.
To get started on this path, go to medicare.gov/homehealthcompare or call 1-800-633-4227.
If you don’t think you qualify for this program, there are still other options for low-income home health care:
- Medicaid may pay for some in-home services. Call your local Medicaid office, or click here for more information about the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
- Veterans assistance. If you’re a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, and need assistance with Activities of Daily Living, you may qualify for assistance. To learn more, go to va.gov/geriatrics or call (800) 827-1000.
Until more low-income assisted living communities are available, one of these options may fill the gap for you or your loved ones.
h/t Savvy Senior