During the COVID-19 pandemic, long-term care facilities were hit hard. An older population, living in close quarters, quickly spreads disease. As the coronavirus raged, some long-term care facilities saw a large number of deaths. Others were able to keep their residents healthy and safe.
We know this because data on deaths in long-term care facilities are reported to the state. Many people are now looking at this data as they make estate planning decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Palmer & Slay PLLC is helping our clients evaluate long-term care facilities and figure out how to cover the cost of their care.
Keeping A Close Eye On COVID Infections
Mississippi takes the health of residents in long-term care facilities seriously. During the pandemic, COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities were closely watched. According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, “long-term care (LTC) facilities like nursing homes are considered high-risk locations because their residents are older or in poor health. A single confirmed COVID-19 infection in an LTC facility resident or employee constitutes an outbreak. Residential care facilities also represent group living facilities where COVID-19 can be easily spread.”
The data the state gathered on COVID outbreaks and deaths at long-term care facilities are helping families evaluate which facilities they or their loved ones should consider living at in the future.
We are able to see where infections remained low. We can also look at the number of deaths compared to the infection rate as a proxy for how well a facility manages the health of its residents. These two data points can give you a sense of how well you or a loved one would be cared for in a particular location.
Paying For Quality Care
In addition to helping you evaluate long-term care options, Palmer & Slay PLLC can help you figure out how to pay for your chosen care.
Living in a Mississippi nursing home can cost well over $8,000 per month, making it difficult, if not impossible, for many families to cover nursing home care costs out of pocket.
Many people in the Brandon area rely on Medicaid to help them cover the cost of long-term care. Medicaid is a needs-based benefit program, meaning that there are income and asset requirements that must be met in order to receive benefits. Palmer & Slay’s experienced Medicaid planning lawyers can help you transfer ownership of your assets into an irrevocable trust so that you can qualify for Medicaid.
We can also help you with the Medicaid application process. Filing a complete and accurate application is the best way to ensure your needs are met in a timely manner.
If you do plan to pay for long-term care out of pocket, we can help you arrange your assets so you have the liquidity necessary to do so. We have worked with clients to set up trusts, annuities, reverse mortgages, and other funding mechanisms. Long-term care insurance is another option that may be available to you if you have the funds necessary to pay what are often expensive premiums.
Preserving Your Wealth. Protecting Your Loved Ones.
If you or a loved one needs help evaluating your long-term care options, or figuring out how to pay for care, the experienced estate planning attorneys at Palmer & Slay PLLC are here to help. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.