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Question & Answer

Q: The expenses of caring for my dad are becoming overwhelming. Surely there is some sort of government support to help me with reducing the costs of all his care? Where do I start?

A: Unfortunately, there is no system to help pay for the expenses of long-term caregiving unless your dad is considered low-income. If he is, the Medicaid system might be able to help you. Since this program is different in every state and the qualifications are different in every state, you would start by calling your Area Agency on Aging and asking them for the number of your local Medicaid office.

There are also ways that your dad could legally pay you for being his caregiver, if he can afford it. For that, you would do well to consult an elderlaw attorney who can help set up a system that will work with Medicaid rules, should you need Medicaid for nursing home placement at a future time. And, an attorney would help you work together with your siblings or other extended family who might be concerned if your dad did pay you for care out of his funds.
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