Those of us with loves ones suffering from Alzheimer’s understand the amount of effort required to provide our loved ones with proper care. Alzheimer’s is ruthless and often causes significant behavioral changes to the point where individuals who suffer from the disease require professional assistance – often in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility.
Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild; however, during its later stages individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.
Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to twenty years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Estate planning for individuals with Alzheimer’s should be completed while the individual continues to have the necessary mental capacity. Generally speaking, all individuals should have a basic estate plan in place, including a will or trust, power of attorney for financial affairs, and power of attorney for health care.
In addition to composing an estate plan it is often necessary to plan for the situation in which the individual suffering from Alzheimer’s will enter an appropriate facility to receive necessary care. Because many facilities cost between $5,000 and $8,000 per month, many families plan to allow Idaho’s Medicaid benefits for long-term care to pay the costs. Like estate planning, planning to become eligible for Idaho’s Medicaid benefits for long-term care should be done as early as possible to avoid the sometimes unnecessary depletion of assets.
The attorneys at Racine Olson can help you understand the eligibility requirements for Idaho Medicaid’s long-term care benefits. We regularly assist individuals with completing Idaho Medicaid applications and communicating with the Medicaid application team to help our clients receive benefits as quickly as possible.
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