<h3>Top Takeaways&nbsp; </h3>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Medicare Part B coversDurable Medical Equipment (DME), such as glucose meters, crutches, hospital beds, and walkers, as long as they meet certain criteria</li>
<li aria-level="1">In order for Medicare to pay for DME:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Make sure your DME supplier is enrolled in Medicare and has a supplier number</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ensure the suppliers agree to "accept assignment"</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li aria-level="1">In most cases, Medicare pays for DME on a rental basis</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<h3>Intro</h3>
&nbsp;
If your doctor has prescribed assistive equipment such as a walker, cane, wheelchair, or crutches, you may be wondering whether Medicare will cover the cost. You&rsquo;ll be happy to know the answer is yes, Medicare Part B (the medical insurance part of Medicare) covers what is known as durable medical equipment (DME) as long as it fits these criteria:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Durable (able to withstand repeated use)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Used for a medical reason</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Not usually useful to someone who isn&rsquo;t sick or injured</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Used in your home or a long-term care facility</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Generally has an expected lifetime of at least three years</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>Some DME That Medicare Covers&nbsp; </h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/blood-sugar-monitors">Blood sugar (glucose) meters&nbsp;</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/blood-sugar-test-strips">Blood sugar test strips</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/canes">Canes</a> (white canes for the blind are not covered)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/commode-chairs">Commode chairs</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/continuous-passive-motion-devices">Continuous passive motion (CPM) machines&nbsp;</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/continuous-positive-airway-pressure-devices">Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/crutches">Crutches</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospital-beds">Hospital beds</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-infusion-services">Home infusion services</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/infusion-pumps-supplies">Infusion pumps and supplies</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/lancet-devices-lancets">Lancet devices and lancets</a> (if you have diabetes)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/nebulizers-nebulizer-medications">Nebulizers and nebulizer medications</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/oxygen-equipment-accessories">Oxygen equipment and accessories</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/patient-lifts">Patient lifts</a> (to lift you from a bed or wheelchair)&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/pressure-reducing-support-surfaces">Pressure-reducing support surfaces</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/suction-pumps">Suction pumps</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/traction-equipment">Traction equipment</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/walkers">Walkers</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters">Wheelchairs and scooters</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>Paying for Durable Medical Equipment </h3>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Make sure your DME supplier is enrolled in Medicare and has a supplier number 
In order to enroll and remain enrolled in Medicare, suppliers must meet strict standards.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If your supplier is not enrolled, Medicare will not pay your DME claim.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Those who do not participate can charge you as much as they want because they&rsquo;re not subject to Medicare&rsquo;s cost limitations.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
 </li>
<li>Participating suppliers agree to &ldquo;accept assignment&rdquo; 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">This means participating suppliers can charge you only the coinsurance and Part B deductible for the Medicare‑approved amount.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If your supplier accepts assignment, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay the Part B deductible for the year.&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In most cases, Medicare pays for DME on a rental basis 
<ul>
<li>Medicare only buys inexpensive or routinely purchased items such as canes, walkers, and blood sugar monitors, or complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs</li>
<li>For some more expensive equipment, like wheelchairs and hospital beds, Medicare pays to rent the item for 13 months of continuous use.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>

Ready Set Care cares for the Carers

Durable Medical Equipment Covered by Medicare Part B

Caregiving is expensive. Almost 80% of caretakers have out-of-pocket expenses, and they spend an average of $7,242 per year to cover them. Fortunately, there are federal and state tax breaks that can help family caregivers cover the cost of care.&nbsp; 
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">File a loved one as a dependent&nbsp; 
You can list a &ldquo;qualifying relative&rdquo; as a dependent on your tax return, if:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">They earn less than $4,300 for the year</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You (their caregiver) provide more than half of support (rent, food, transportation, etc.)&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">They live with you full-time or pass a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501#en_US_2020_publink1000220954">relationship test</a></li>
</ul>
 </li>
<li>Write off your loved one&rsquo;s Medical Expenses / Care 
If you care for an aging loved one, you can write off:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A dependent&rsquo;s unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Up to 50% of $8,000 in care expenses&nbsp; for a dependent, such as adult day care</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A $500 dependent credit, if you fall below the $200,000 income threshold</li>
</ul>
 </li>
<li>Ask your work about Dependent Care Benefits 
Workplaces may have Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits, which reduces an employee&rsquo;s gross income by designating up to $10,500 for care expenses.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The money is pre-tax, so it helps you save on income taxes&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
 </li>
<li>See if you qualify for a Stimulus payment&nbsp; 
You may qualify for a stimulus payment, even if you didn&rsquo;t claim your loved one as a&nbsp; dependent in 2020.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>You may qualify for a $1400 stimulus payment if your loved one moved in with you and/or became your dependent in 2021</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>

Ready Set Care cares for the Carer

Federal and State Tax Breaks for Family Caregivers

<h2>Top Takeaways </h2>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Respite care is the practice of hiring someone to temporarily take over caregiving responsibilities to allow the caregiver a break</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The 3 main options for respite care vary in location (at-home vs. out-of-home) and level of care&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The various levels of care range from companionship to errands to home health assistance&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Although Respite care is often paid for out of pocket,&nbsp; Some state Medicaid programs offer waivers or vouchers that cover respite care as part of the Home &amp; Community-Based Services (HCBS) program</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Visit the <a href="https://archrespite.org/respitelocator">ARCH National Respite Locator Service</a> to find FREE respite care options in your area.</li>
</ol>
 
<h2>Introduction </h2>
As any full-time caretaker knows, the demands of caretaking can leave little time for anything else. Although scheduling time for self-care is important for your own health and well-being, most caretakers simply lack the daily support necessary to take time for themselves. If that sounds familiar to you, respite care may be exactly what you need.
&nbsp;
<h2>What Is Respite Care? </h2>
The word &ldquo;respite&rdquo; is defined as a period of rest or relief. Thus, respite care is the practice of hiring someone to temporarily take over caregiving responsibilities to allow the caregiver time away from the person being cared for.&nbsp;
 Respite care may last for days, weeks, or even just a few hours. Caretakers can use this time however they wish: to take a vacation, spend time with other family members or friends, catch up on errands, or simply rest and recharge.
&nbsp;
<h2>A Variety of Options For Respite Care </h2>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">At-Home Respite Care: Of the various types of respite care, the most widely known is at-home respite, in which an aide assists your loved one in their home. This is the least disruptive form of respite care, as it allows the person to stay in familiar surroundings and keep their usual daily routines.&nbsp; </li>
<li aria-level="1">Adult Day-Care: Another form of respite care is adult daycare, also known as out-of-home respite care. As the name implies, your loved one is dropped off at a designated care center and attended to by staff throughout the day. Along with giving the caretaker a much-needed break, daycare programs allow your loved one to socialize with others and participate in group activities. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Residential / Skilled Nursing Respite Programs: For individuals with more advanced medical needs, there are residential or skilled nursing respite programs. Because these programs provide overnight care, they tend to be used for longer-term respite care, such as days or weeks. Many long-term care facilities have rooms that are designed for short-term respite stays.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<h2>Different Levels of Respite Care </h2>
Along with location options, respite care services also vary based on the level of care your loved one needs.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Companion Care: Companion care provides individuals with supervision and companionship and may be used as part of a regular daily or weekly care routine, including driving the person to appointments. This level of care is most suitable for someone who is able to perform daily living activities without assistance. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Homemaker Care: This is much like companion care, but it branches out to include meal preparation, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and laundry. As with companion care, homemaker care includes transportation, but does not involve physical assistance, including hands-on personal care. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Home Health Aide Care: The highest level of respite care is provided by home health aides. These trained professionals are certified and able to provide physical assistance to your loved one, including bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding, and help with medications.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<h2>Paying for Respite Care&nbsp; </h2>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Typical Cost of Respite Care 
How much you will pay for respite care depends primarily on:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">How long care is needed&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The level of care the individual requires. </li>
</ol>
If you are paying out of pocket, here are some cost estimates for various types of respite care:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The national average cost for companion care or homemaker services is $18 per hour or $144 for an eight-hour day;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Adult daycare has a national average cost of $74 per day;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Home health care costs an average of $150 per day;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The average cost of a semi-private room in a long-term care facility is $255 per day, while a private room averages $290 per day.</li>
</ul>
 </li>
<li>How to Cover Costs 
 According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), respite care services charge by the hour or by the number of days or weeks that services are provided.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Respite care is often paid for out of pocket, as most insurance plans do not cover the costs.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Medicare will cover most of the cost of up to five days in a row of respite care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, but only for a person receiving hospice care</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Some state Medicaid programs offer waivers or vouchers that cover respite care as part of the Home &amp; Community-Based Services (HCBS) program. If you are a caregiver for someone on Medicaid, visit the <a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/index.html">Medicaid.gov website</a> and use the pull-down menu to check what your state covers.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<h2>Free Respite Care Options </h2>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Local Organizations: In some areas, free respite care may be available through local volunteer organizations, or places of worship. Typically, such care is restricted to companion/homemaker services.&nbsp; </li>
<li aria-level="1">Friends and Family: Remember that friends and family members are often willing to step in to allow you time off to recharge. Many caretakers shy away from asking others for help because they assume people already know about their needs and are either unable or unwilling to help &ndash; but that is often not the case. Unless friends or family have been in a caretaker role themselves, they may have no idea how consuming the job is or how important respite care is to prevent burnout.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
TIP: If you&rsquo;re uncomfortable asking someone to help you, consider sending a group message to those closest to you. Be open and honest about your needs, and ask if anyone is willing to help you. Caregivers are often pleasantly surprised when, in response to their request, they get more than one offer. If you experience that, you may be able to set up a rotating schedule of regular respite time &hellip; you time.
&nbsp;
<h2>Where to Find Respite Care </h2>
Visit the <a href="https://archrespite.org/respitelocator">ARCH National Respite Locator Service</a> to find respite care options in your area. If you are in a crisis situation and need respite care immediately, call 2-1-1 and ask about available resources (2-1-1 can be reached 24 hours a day).

<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Trina Eaton is experienced in healthcare tech, having nearly a decade of experience working with physicians, pharma, and payers.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:14849,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:11}">Trina Eaton is experienced in healthcare tech, having nearly a decade of experience working with physicians, pharma, and payers.

Scheduling time for self-care is important for your own health and well-being, yet most caretakers lack the daily support necessary to take time for themselves. If that sounds familiar to you, respite care may be exactly what you need.

What is Respite Care and How Much Does It Cost | Ready Set Care

What is Respite Care and How Much Does It Cost

In addition to the mental and physical demands, caregivers also experience financial hardships as their care responsibilities make working difficult. These financial realities often lead caregivers to search for options on how to be compensated for their caregiving work.

How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver | Ready Set Care

How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver

<h2>Top Takeaways&nbsp; </h2>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Caregivers often don&rsquo;t take advantage of benefits because they&rsquo;re unaware they&rsquo;re available</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Some of the most overlooked senior benefits offer support for subsidizing or modifying a home, paying certain bills, and helping with Medicare premiums </li>
</ol>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h2>Introduction </h2>
Caring for an aging parent or relative can come with serious challenges.&nbsp; 
Fortunately, many government programs are designed specifically to aid seniors as they transition into needing additional support. Despite the various federal, state, and local support sources, many caregivers don&rsquo;t take advantage of these benefits simply because they&rsquo;re unaware they&rsquo;re available.&nbsp; 
Here are six of the most overlooked benefits for seniors that may make caregiving just a little bit easier.
&nbsp;
<h2>1. Money for Veterans to Modify a Caregiver&rsquo;s Home </h2>
For those providing caregiving for retired service members with service-connected disabilities, there may be overlooked benefits available in the form of Temporary Residence Adaptation.&nbsp; 
What is it?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Temporary Residence Adaptation grants are VA grants to improve accessibility for a caregiver&rsquo;s home.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">TRA grants can be as much as $40,637. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who is eligible?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Service-disabled veterans who are eligible for grants to improve accessibility for their own homes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The veteran must now be living in the home of a caregiver.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The caregiver&rsquo;s home does not meet the veteran&rsquo;s accessibility needs. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
How do I apply?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">For specifics on eligibility requirements and to apply, <a href="https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/">visit the VA Disability Housing Grants site</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>2. Assistance Paying Energy Bills </h2>
Utilities can be a significant expense, particularly for those living in more extreme climates. The <a href="https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/623">Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)</a> can help those with limited resources pay their energy bills.&nbsp; 
What is it?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">LIHEAP provides bill payment assistance for energy/utilities.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Qualified individuals can get funding for weatherization of their homes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Recipients may receive money for energy-related repairs.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In some cases, grants to offset the cost of solar panel installation are available.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who is eligible?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">To qualify for LIHEAP, a person needs to have an income under the established limit for their household size.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">People currently receiving benefits from other programs for low-income individuals&mdash;including SNAP (formerly food stamps), TANF, or SSI&mdash;may be eligible automatically.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">To see if you qualify, <a href="https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/623">visit the LIHEAP website on benefits.gov</a>, and use the income calculator.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
How do I apply?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">For information on where to apply, contact the National Energy Assistance Referral program by calling 1-866-674-6327, or by emailing <a href="mailto:energy@ncat.org">energy@ncat.org</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>3. Help With Medicare Premiums </h2>
Low-income seniors may not be aware that they qualify for help paying their Medicare Part B premium. This benefit can result in significant savings&nbsp; throughout the year. 
What is it?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-programs">Medicare Savings Programs</a> can pay Medicare Part B premiums (the standard Part B premium is $148.50 for 2021).&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In some cases, it can also cover out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who is eligible?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Eligibility is determined by your state&rsquo;s Medicaid program.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">State&rsquo;s set an income limit to qualify for the benefit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
How do I apply?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">To find you state&rsquo;s specific requirements and to apply, <a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/contact-us/contact-your-state-questions/index.html">contact your state&rsquo;s Medicaid office</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>4. Help With Chores and Errands </h2>
Thanks to the Older Americans Act, seniors needing assistance keeping up with household responsibilities may be able to get free or discounted outside help. &nbsp;
What is it?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The OAA provides benefits for homemaking services, which include chores and grocery shopping. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who is eligible?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The applicant must be age 60 or older.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">While there is no income limit federally, this benefit is administered by individual states, so there may be additional requirements. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
How do I apply?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Contact the agency that administers elder care services in your state for more information on how to apply. Click <a href="https://www.eldercaredirectory.org/state-resources.htm">here</a> for a directory of state elder care agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>5. Coverage for Shoes for Diabetics </h2>
Seniors with diabetes may not know that Medicare will help them pay for therapeutic shoes.&nbsp; 
What is it?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of custom shoes and inserts for enrollees with diabetes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Annual coverage includes one pair of custom-molded shoes and inserts OR one pair of extra-depth shoes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Coverage also include 2 or 3 additional pairs of inserts per calendar year. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who is eligible?
To qualify, enrollees must have at least three of the following conditions:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Diabetes</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Foot deformity</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Nerve damage caused by diabetes</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Foot ulcers</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Amputation of foot</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Poor circulation</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Must be receiving treatment through a health care plan</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
To use this benefit, you must have a prescription for the shoes from your doctor. 
How do I apply?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Check the durable medical equipment (DME) section of your coverage to find out your benefits, or call the phone number on your insurance card for more information on your coverage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>6. Subsidized Housing </h2>
Most people have heard of Section 8 vouchers for housing, but few seniors know the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also has a Section 202 subsidy program.&nbsp; 
What is it?&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly is specifically designated for low-income seniors.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Eligible properties are usually apartment complexes with supportive community features like cleaning, cooking, and transportation.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">These properties are designed with seniors in mind, so the buildings have accessibility elements like grab bars, ramps, and elevators. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who is eligible?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Households with at least one person 62 or older</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">No citizenship requirement</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Household must make less than 50% of the <a href="https://ami-lookup-tool.fanniemae.com/amilookuptool/">Area Median Income</a> for the area to which you are applying </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
How do I apply?
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Though this benefit is available to seniors, the application process can be lengthy.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Find a section 202 home you want, then work with the landlord or property owner to apply for a grant.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The property can tell you how long the wait typically is, but multi-year waitlists are not uncommon.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Approval for these grants does take individual circumstances into account.&nbsp; Priority goes to seniors who are:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">being forced to move from their existing housing;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">live in sub-standard conditions; or</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">are currently spending more than 50% of their income on rent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">For information and help finding Section 202 homes available in your area, <a href="https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/field_policy_mgt/localoffices">contact your local HUD agency</a>. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
While caregiving can be stressful physically, emotionally, and financially, being educated on the free supports available can make an enormous impact. By tapping into the overlooked senior benefits resources, caregivers can maximize the level of care your loved one receives.

Caring for an aging parent or relative can come with serious challenges. There are several government programs that are designed specifically to aid seniors as they transition into needing additional support. These programs are often overlooked so here are six of the most popular.

Most Overlooked Senior Benefits | Ready Set Care

Most Overlooked Senior Benefits

What Medicare Open Enrollment is so Important for Family Caregivers
&nbsp;
Medicare Open Enrollment: The Time is Now
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Spending a little time now is paying off for all of next year,&rdquo; says a message from Medicare.gov, the official website for Medicare, and it&rsquo;s a very good piece of advice. This is the season of Medicare open enrollment, and it ends on December 7.&nbsp;
This is the time of year when Medicare recipients can change their plans. Your loved one&rsquo;s health might have changed. A new illness could send them to new doctors. Their medications may have been changed. There might be a change in their finances, with less money to pay for medical bills. The government gives you a special time each year to enroll in a new plan to accommodate for these changes each year during open enrollment.
&nbsp;
What Plan is your Loved One on?&nbsp;
Most people on Medicare are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, where you get your care within a network of doctors and hospitals.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Traditional Medicare is more expansive and expensive. You can go to any doctor or hospital enrolled in Medicare, but it costs more than Medicare Advantage. You need to pay a Part B premium for doctor bills, a Part D plan to buy your drugs, and a Medicare supplemental plan (also called Medi-gap), which will cover your 20% co-payment when you go to the hospital.
During Open Enrollment, someone over 65 who is enrolled in Medicare can keep their current plan or make a switch. Most people won&rsquo;t change plans. Maybe the process seems too complex. Maybe they worry about doing the wrong thing. But this isn&rsquo;t always the best option.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Caregiver&rsquo;s Role During Open Enrollment
&nbsp;
As a caregiver you can&rsquo;t be passive during Open Enrollment. Especially this year, when a flood of television commercials is pouring out promises, with relentless promotions from heroes of the Baby Boom generation. There is an unusual amount of promotion this year because there are additional plans and their promises are expanding in new ways. For example, for the first time, some plans are offering transportation to take you to a doctor&rsquo;s appointment or shopping.
Your loved one may be swayed by celebrities like Joe Namath and Joe Montana, or George&nbsp; Foreman, or William Shatner telling them to call a number, where an agent will sign them up with a plan that has a plethora of new benefits. New plans can sound appealing: Perhaps the plan will provide someone who will drive your loved one to a doctor's appointment, or go out and pick up some groceries. Many plans will boast free dental care and a free gym membership, benefits you can't get under traditional Medicare.
Sorting through the different plans is confusing, and most people don't know what to do. As a result, they default to doing nothing, and they often don&rsquo;t spend any time comparing plans. More than 50 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, and 70% of them did nothing when enrollment was open in 2018 for the 2019 benefit year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.&nbsp;
Alternatively, some people can choose to switch without understanding the full picture. Some people are excited at the prospect of saving money and may pick a plan that excludes the doctors they are now seeing. Some people might have lost their doctors and their coverage for specific drugs because&nbsp; their current plans made changes. Plans are difficult to understand, with each one having its own network of doctors and hospitals. It&rsquo;s important to be careful that you don&rsquo;t enroll your loved one in a plan that causes them to lose coverage for their doctors.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
What are the Top Reasons You Should Help Your Loved One Compare Plans?
&nbsp;
1. Your Loved One&rsquo;s Doctors May Not Be Covered Next Year&nbsp;
Your loved one&rsquo;s doctors may have moved. They might be in the plan they have this year, but not in the new one where they are being enticed to enroll. The commercials look appealing and your&nbsp; loved&nbsp; one may call the number to get all those extra benefits. However, when the insurance agent makes a pich, tell them you want to keep all your doctors and to find a plan that will include them for the next year. Be sure to tell them where you live and the names of your doctors.
Don't sign up for anything until you are sure the new plan will include your doctors. Even then, don't take anyone's word for it. Call the doctor's offices, tell them which plan you are considering for 2022, and find out if they are participating in it
&nbsp;
2. Your Loved One&rsquo;s Mobility has Declined
Perhaps your loved one&rsquo;s mobility has become limited, and they can't drive safely anymore. You and their other caregivers don&rsquo;t live nearby to take them shopping or to the doctor's office.&nbsp; Some of the Medicare Advantage plans now offer transportation as a benefit. Check the plans to see which ones offer the benefit in your neighborhood.
&nbsp;
Tips for Helping Your Loved One Compare Plans
Remember the average Medicare beneficiary has access to more than 30 different plans. New plans may be offering cheaper monthly premiums or even zero premiums. Sorting through them won&rsquo;t be an easy task. The best thing you can do as a caregiver is to help your loved ones navigate Medicare&rsquo;s tricky river of plans.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If your loved one wants to call the numbers promoted in the commercials, tell them to get the name of the plan but hold off on enrolling.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">As the caregiver, help by doing the detailed work of checking the plan that seems so appealing.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Go to <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/">Medicare.gov.</a> Click on Find 2022 Health &amp; Drug Plans. Look at the plans and their benefits. There will be a phone number to contact the plan.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Remember: You need to be sure your doctors and your drugs are still covered and any other benefits you depend on are still in your current plan.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A Senior Finance Reporter with 40+ years of experience, specializing in issues of aging, such as Medicare, Social Security, Pensions, IRAs, and Assisted Living. \r&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:769,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}">Bob Rosenblatt is a Senior Finance Reporter with 40+ years of experience, specializing in issues of aging, such as Medicare, Social Security, Pensions, IRAs, and Assisted Living.

Everything you need for caregiving all in one place. Personalized care solutions and resources to help you provide better care.". This field should be editable in case we ever want to change the default meta description.

Medicare Open Enrollment: How You Can Help Your Loved One | Ready Set Care

Medicare Open Enrollment: How You Can Help Your Loved One

As a caregiver you may help your loved one file their taxes. Alternatively, you may file them under your own taxes as a dependent. Either way, a big part of filing is determining whether it&rsquo;s best to take the standard deduction, or itemize expenses individually to include a deduction for medical charges.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
There are two choices when filing taxes:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
1. Take the standard deduction
The standard deduction varies, but for a couple (both over 65), the deduction is&nbsp;$27,800 for the 2021 tax return.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
2. Itemize Deductions
Calculate individual deductions by adding medical expenses to other deductions such as property taxes, state and local taxes, home mortgage interest and charitable contributions.
&nbsp;
How do I know which one is better?
&nbsp;
The decision of whether to take the standard deduction or itemize expenses depends on the amount of expenses and income.
&nbsp;
For example, suppose your parents had an adjusted gross income of $75,000 for 2021. Their medical expenses for the year, when your father had major heart surgery and was in the hospital for three weeks, and your mother needed a wheelchair and someone to help her bathe at home, were $27,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The deduction for medical expenses is any amount above 7.5% of adjusted gross income.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Calculations show 7.5% of&nbsp; $75,000 is $5,625, meaning your parents total spending over the 7.5% threshold was $21,375. ($27,000 - $5,625 = $21,375). This means their deduction for medical expenses alone for 2021 could be&nbsp;$21,375.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Your parents already have a large potential medical deduction of $21,375. (Not yet reaching the $27,800 standard deduction) However, if additional deductions, such as mortgage interest payments, state and local taxes, and charity contributions, put them over the standard deduction for a couple over 65 ($27,800), it makes sense for you to itemize deductions for them when you prepare their taxes. If they do not have additional deductions to reach the $27,800, it makes sense for them to take the standard deduction.&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Here are some of the major items you can deduct as medical expenses:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Monthly premiums you pay for health insurance
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">For those with traditional Medicare, this would include Part B, Medicare supplemental coverage (also called Medi-gap), and Part D plans that cover prescription drugs&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">For those with Medicare Advantage, which has a network of approved doctors and hospitals, there may be a separate monthly premium</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">NOTE: If the person you&rsquo;re caring for is your dependent, you can deduct their Medicare premiums.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">(For a loved one to be recognized as your dependent for tax purposes, you have to provide more than 50% of their support for the year, and they have to have an adjusted gross income of less than $4,300.) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Any additional charges under hospital and physician charges not covered by Medicare&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">These could be co-payments for surgery, care in rehab centers, or expensive medications</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Premiums for private long-term care insurance&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">These policies cover care for people who may need help with dressing, feeding, and bathing</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dental charges not covered by Medicare</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Includes routine exams, fillings, crowns, surgery, implants, and false teeth</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Equipment and devices&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Wheelchairs, walkers, and canes&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Special mattresses to help people who have severe arthritis</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Oxygen equipment</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Blood sugar test kits</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Eyeglasses</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Hearing aids</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Travel to get medical care allows a charge of 17 cents a mile&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">For example: Suppose you drive your mother to and from the doctor&rsquo;s office or a rehabilitation clinic. Tally the miles you go for the trips. &nbsp;ou can claim a transportation cost of 17 cents per mile. You do not have to keep a record of how much you spent for gasoline. To make it simple, the IRS allows the mileage charge.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The cost of home improvements and modifications to provide necessary care&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">For example: Suppose your loved one has arthritis and a heart condition and cannot climb stairs or get into a bathtub. If their doctor advises them to install a bathroom with a shower stall on the first floor of their two-story rented house, the full cost is eligible for a medical deduction.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Lastly, something new was added to the list this year (2021): The cost of face masks and other protective equipment to protect against COVID is fully deductible.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Additional Tools and Resources to Help Calculate Your Deduction&nbsp;
See the full list of deductible items listed by the IRS <a href="https://apps.irs.gov/app/IPAR/resources/help/MedDentExpenseTypes.html">here</a>.&nbsp;
The IRS also has a tool for personally estimating the possible deduction, accessible <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/can-i-deduct-my-medical-and-dental-expenses">here</a>:
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bob Rosenblatt has been a reporter for 40 years, specializing in aging issues, such as Medicare, Social Security, Pensions, IRAs, and finding Assisted Living.

Everything you need for caregiving all in one place. Personalized care solutions and resources to help you provide better care.

How to Maximize Your Loved One's Tax Deduction | Ready Set Care

How to Maximize Your Loved One's Tax Deduction

Everything you need to know about the costs associated with caregiving, all in one place. Start reading today!

Money Matters