For more information about the author, click to view their website: Senior Care Associates - VA Aid & Attendance Specialists Nationwide
By not planning for our futures today many of us are
unknowingly leaving decisions about our futures to other, including long term
care needs. Six in ten of us have not determined how we’ll pay for our long
care needs.
40% of us don’t know that long-term care is more than
nursing home care. Taking control of long term care earlier in life enables us
to live as well as possible how and where we want. This could include daily
assistance with chronic conditions that last a long time. These services come
from many sources.
Only 23% of us know we’ll likely pay for future care needs
with personal savings. Medicare and private health insurance do not cover
long-term services.
Women live longer than men thus are the biggest users of long-term care. Women
are typically so busy with their own lives and caring for others that they only
address their own needs after everyone else’s. Take some time and a few easy
steps can provide peace of mind now and in the future.
Know your family medical history. This will help prevent against chronic
conditions that may have existed in your family’s history.
As you age take a look at your home. Do you have stairs to navigate? Is your
bedroom and bathroom on the main floor? Take a look at your home and see if it
suits your needs as you age.
What amenities does your community offer? Do you have access
to transportation, activities and services that are important to you?
Talk to your family about future financial and medical wishes to ensure they
are aware of what you’d like.
Know your finances. What options do you have now? What care
options would you want for the future? Know what the costs are for long-term
care needs, assisted living etc.
Know your options. Go on line. Google. Call and ask
questions of what is out there and what is available. Costs?
Plan for the future. What are your lifestyle goals and
needs?
A move, a change in care needs, or the loss of a spouse can turn a familiar retirement budget into a list of new decisions. Before meeting with a financial professional, identify the question you want answered. You might need to understand what a move would do to your monthly expenses or how much flexibility you have if care costs rise.What Financial Services CoverFinancial services can include financial planning, investment advice, insurance, or help with other money decisions. The scope depends on the professional and the firm. If your immediate question is about paying an overdue bill or applying for a public benefit, a local assistance program may be the better first call. If youre weighing how to use savings or investment accounts over time, ask whether an adviser can address that specific question. Jetty Financial - Rich GaldieriPhone: 303-710-5015Richard Galdieris public professional profile identifies Jetty Financial. The SECs Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database identifies him under CRD number 8206153 with Global View Capital Management LLC in Lafayette, Colorado. Ask which firm would provide the service and appear on your written agreement. The firms name gives you the information you need to review the right disclosures and direct follow-up questions. Ask What the Engagement IncludesDescribe the decision youre facing and ask what the professional can provide in writing. That may mean a one-time review, a planning engagement, or ongoing investment management, depending on the firms services. Ask which fees apply, how they are calculated, and whether any products or third parties carry separate costs. Investor.gov offers a tool to check registration and review relationship disclosures. Why This Matters in BoulderIf youre deciding whether to stay in your Boulder home or move closer to family, use actual costs for both options. For your current home, pull recent bills for taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any paid help. For a move, gather quotes for housing and services you expect to use. Put one-time expenses, such as moving or preparing the house for sale, on their own list so you can compare recurring costs clearly.How to Get Started1. Put Your Main Question on One PageList income sources, regular expenses, and the change you expect in the next year. Bring rough figures to an introductory conversation and ask how the firm handles confidential documents before sending account statements.2. Confirm Fees and ResponsibilitiesAsk who will work with you, what you will receive, and how much the engagement is expected to cost. If you are considering ongoing services, ask how often you would meet and what happens if you end the relationship.3. Take Time to Review the AgreementRead the written scope and fee terms before deciding. If your question also involves taxes or legal documents, identify which parts you should take to a tax professional or an attorney. Related Seniors Blue Book Categories Financial Services Elder Law Estate Planning
A utility bill can be manageable one month and hard to cover the next. If youre living on a fixed income or helping an older family member sort through overdue notices, start with the bill or expense that has the closest deadline. The City of Boulders Older Adult Services case managers can help eligible residents understand what assistance may be available and where to apply.What Financial Assistance Can Help WithFinancial assistance programs help eligible households cover essential expenses or connect with resources that reduce those costs. Programs may address a one-time problem, such as a bill that came due unexpectedly, or an ongoing need, such as difficulty paying for groceries. Each program sets its own rules and deadlines. A case manager can help you identify which applications are worth pursuing.City of Boulder Older Adult ServicesPhone: 303-441-4388 The citys Older Adult Services team works with Boulder residents age 60 and older and their caregivers. Case managers provide information and referrals, help people understand available options, and offer short-term case management. The city also provides financial assistance for eligible clients. Its published screening criteria include age, residency, income, and the type and circumstances of the request. What to Bring Up on the First CallDescribe the immediate problem in plain terms. I received a shutoff notice with a date next week gives a case manager a clearer starting point than I need help with bills. If the same expense has become hard to cover every month, say so. That gives the case manager a chance to discuss ongoing resources as well as any immediate options.Why This Matters in BoulderA Boulder mailing address and residence within Boulder city limits can mean different things for eligibility. If youre unsure whether your address qualifies, give the case manager your street address before gathering paperwork. Older adults who live elsewhere in Boulder County can start with the countys Area Agency on Aging for help identifying resources that serve their address. How to Get Started1. Find the DeadlineHave the most recent bill or notice handy. Write down the amount due, the due date, and any shutoff date or other deadline shown. Tell the case manager about the deadline at the beginning of your call.2. Ask What Documents You NeedCall 303-441-4388 and ask which documents the city needs for your particular request and how to submit them. Keep copies of any application and the name of the person you spoke with.3. Confirm the Next StepBefore you hang up, ask who will follow up, how to check the status, and whether there is another program to contact in the meantime. If you are calling for someone else, ask whether they need to join the call or give permission for staff to discuss their application. Related Seniors Blue Book Categories Area Agencies on Aging Care Management Care Coordination
Every year, plenty of families with taxable estates let one of their simplest planning tools expire quietly on December 31.I'm talking about the annual gift tax exclusion. Each person can give up to a set amount to as many people as they like each year without using any of their lifetime exemption. A married couple can effectively double it.Here's the part people miss. It doesn't carry forward. If this year's exclusion isn't used by December 31, it's gone, and January 1 simply starts a new one.So for a couple with children and grandchildren, that's real wealth that can move out of a taxable estate each year, with no complicated structure required. Skip a few years and you can't go back and claim them.It isn't free of trade-offs. Money you give away is money you no longer control, and gifts to younger family members raise fair questions about timing, trusts and readiness. Which is why the gift and the plan should be decided together, not rushed the week before New Year's.One more thing. The gift generally needs to be completed within the year, not just intended. A plan in December isn't the same as a transfer.If you have a taxable estate and haven't looked at this yet, there's still time for a conversation, ideally with your tax professional and estate attorney involved too.Thomas Kluttz, CFP, ChFC, CTFA Analog Capital Partners Naples, FloridaAnalog Capital Partners LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply any level of skill or training. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit or protect against loss. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Additional information is available in the firm's Form ADV and client relationship summary, available upon request. CRD #8199461.
Aid & Attendance was established in 1952 to provide financial assistance to wartime veterans and/or their surviving spouses who lack the funds necessary to pay for the care they require with routine activities of daily living in their homes, assisted living and nursing home care. Those who served our country 90 days active duty state side or abroad during a period of war, 65 and above may be eligible for this pension. Are you a war time Veteran? Are you a surviving spouse of a Veteran? If the answer to this is, yes, then you may be eligible for a separate pension through the VA called Aid & Attendance. The Veterans Aid and Attendance pension has been around since 1952. Most Veterans and or spouses have never heard of Veterans Aid and Attendance and sometimes find it hard to believe that it even exists. The Veterans Aid & Attendance pension is a separate pension set aside for those Veterans, spouses and surviving spouses who are aging and are at the point in their lives that they are in need of some assistance with their care. This care could be provided while living in your home, Retirement Living (with care coming in), Assisted Living or a Nursing Home. If you are in need of assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) you may qualify. To determine eligibility for Aid and Attendance pension we look at these areas first: Did the Veteran serve90 days active duty, one day during a period of war state side or overseas and honorably discharged? Do you have expenses for care? Expenses such as a Medicare supplement, a caregiver or family members assisting with care, assisted living expense etc. Income such as Social Security, Retirement, Pension, Rental Income etc. Cash Assets- Checking and Savings, 401K, IRAs, Investments etc. Health- if you are using a walker or a cane, oxygen, meal preparation bathing, transportation, assistance, etc. If you feel you meet some of these criteria, you may qualify. This is a TAX FREE monthly pension directly deposited into your bank account. 2022 Amounts: Veteran- $2,050 Surviving Spouse- $1,318 Veteran & Spouse- $2,431 Dependent Spouse- $1,607 The pension is retroactive, meaning; you will receive monies back from the first day of the month after you apply. How long does it take to get the pension? 2-6 months. It will take longer to receive back pay when Alzheimer's or severe Dementia is involved due to an additional step that is required by the VA. These are the documents we will review first to determine eligibility for the Aid and Attendance pension: Military/separation papers (DD-214), Marriage certificate or license Death certificate for surviving spouses only Current Social Security statement letter Current bank statement all pages Any other asset documentation if any. By reviewing these documents we will have a fairly good idea if we need to pushforward with the process. Many Seniors have lost much of their savings due to the downward economy and many are outliving their savings. The Aid and Attendance pension has helped many Veterans, spouses and surviving spouses increase their standard of living either by helping them afford care in their home, or the possibility of moving to or staying at a Retirement or Assisted Living and a Nursing Home. Please call us to discuss the areas of criteria and to determine eligibility for the Aid and Attendance pension.