Do you have a loved one recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? You may be concerned about obtaining the necessary ongoing day to day care that they need. In fact, how can you help a loved one with Parkinson’s disease pay for a nursing home? Have no doubt, it is possible to get assistance in paying for a nursing home for a loved one with Parkinson’s. We recommend that you consult with a Florida elder law attorney to find out about your best options in regard to Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that may be available.
Even though Medicare and Medicaid are different programs, they may each contribute to paying for nursing home care for your loved one. The health insurance program for adults over age 65 is Medicare. In addition, Medicare has a limited nursing home benefit, paying only for 100 days of care, but it can be the most useful in the pre-nursing home stage. Many Medicare plans will pay up to 80% of the costs of all of the doctor’s visits and diagnostic tests that come prior to a Parkinson’s diagnosis, until the deductible on your loved one’s health insurance plan is met. Medicare may then cover the remaining costs for the pre-diagnosis visits.
Now, if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid, this is usually the program that takes over when Medicare benefits are no longer enough. Qualified individuals can have nursing home costs covered by Medicaid in every state when this level of care may be needed. If your loved one needs care in his or her own home first, a Florida elder law or Medicaid attorney can help you navigate the process of obtaining a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver. This waiver can enable Medicaid to cover the cost of caring for your loved one with a Parkinson’s diagnosis in his or her own home.
Medicaid can also cover the costs of a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) which is particularly helpful for elderly people with Parkinson’s. A PCA is focused on caring for your loved one and can develop a longer term caregiving relationship, which many families find meaningful and rely on.
Our office can help guide a family through long-term care planning for aging parents and loved ones. No matter where you are in life’s journey, we can help. The most important thing is to protect yourself and those you love. Whether you need to update your estate plan, are preparing for future long-term care needs, or have a loved one entering or already in a nursing home, we are ready to assist you. We have three convenient locations and are ready to serve the communities around Highlands and Polk County, Florida. Take your first step by contacting us today.
