Aging in Place

The Indiana Division of Aging has adopted a new initiative to allow seniors to age in place—at home, when possible, rather than in a nursing facility.  Several new programs have been developed to allow family members who need nursing home care to obtain financial help from Medicaid to keep them out of the nursing home.  One such program is the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver.  This waiver program has many different services including the following:

1. Assistance in the Home.  Medicaid can pay for home handicap modifications, home health care workers, housekeeping services, etc.

2. Foster Living Care.  Foster living is available for unrelated individuals to live in a group home setting with the help of a trained caregiver.  Medicaid pays for the person’s care, and the individual pays room and board of the lower of $674 per month or his/her income less $52.

3. Assisted Living.  This program allows appropriate individuals to stay in assisted living and have Medicaid pay for their care.  The person pays the same as if he/she was in a foster care facility.

4. Adult Day Services.  This provides daily services from 3 to 10 hours per day outside the home.  Transportation can be provided as part of the plan of care.

The spousal impoverishment rules apply to the waiver program.  This means Mom or Dad can obtain help for these expenses without having to consider nursing home care and without going broke.

These new programs are wonderful for our Indiana seniors and disabled individuals; however, the eligibility rules for these programs are complicated.  Please contact our office if you are interested in additional information about the Aged and Disabled Waivers.  You will also find information about this topic under the seminars & materials section of our webpage.

Keith P. Huffman
February 2009