.

Hi there.

Good evening.

>> Welcome to PBS for Wayne.

I'm Sandy Thomson the host of this show tonight it's called LIFE Ahead and the reason we call it that is because each week we have different topics and different guests.

But we we try to focus on topics and issues that will give you information and education for choices you have to make for your LIFE Ahead.

>> That's the title of the show.

Now this is your show.

>> I'm going to start asking our guests some questions tonight but I would encourage you to call in where you have a phone number you'll see there at the bottom of the screen (969) 27 twenty and we'd love to talk to you live on the air if that's OK with you that way if our guests have questions back, you're right.

They are still on the phone if not in the control room, our phone operator will take your question and type it up and send it out here to the studio to me on the teleprompter and I'll ask them no matter how that show works, we have no commercials we go straight through for a half an hour.

I'd like you to meet our guest.

We've had Janelle Sprinkel right here on this side an attorney who has been with us before here on LIFE Ahead and she's invited to come along and Bowers Amber, so nice to have you with us.

>> Thanks for having me.

No problem.

And we're in the topic, by the way, is something that will apply to an awful lot of you or perhaps to your parents or grandparents or neighbors are going to be talking about aging at home and what kind of resources and help there is to help you maintain a regular daily life if you choose to stay at home.

Let's talk about why people stay at home.

>> You're going to answer that, Jarnail that's a growing thing, isn't it?

A growing trend.

It really is.

So as an elder law attorney we have conversations about this a lot preparing and getting ready both your finances and others on aging and where you would like to be and and what you feel is a comfortable place for you.

So we have these conversations and more and more you hear that people want to stay in their own home and that's a fantastic choice and I say OK, well it is a unique thing about staying in your home what you need to consider but there are always large general topics that you want to make sure you think about if you're making that decision for yourself.

>> You mean categories of help you might need or what do you.

You're exactly right.

So you want to think about, for example, safety and accessibility in your home.

Right now it's fine and you get around and you're doing great but you want to think about as you age does my home need some some advancements or some changing so that can be anything from ramps for accessibility for or for wheelchair can be grab bars or in the shower in the bathroom.

You're exactly right but it can be a lot easier to it can be checking the throw rugs on your floor because those can easily become trip hazards.

>> Haven't I heard that like the first thing you do is get rid of it, throw your right because they're actually tripping.

>> I guess one of the number one reasons that elderly people fall and it's often because they they trip on a throw.

>> Yes.

Even older cat you know, I don't know you don't have to get rid of the cat.

Sure.

But that's exactly right.

And you think that you clear the clutter and the other things and you miss the rugs because they're part of your decor but those can easily trip hazards as well.

>> So if you do if you do have them like maybe out the door you have one that will collect snow or rain or whatever else you can buy that the tape the tape to make sure it's stuck down on the floor.

>> Yes.

Yes, you're exactly right.

All so what else besides safety are reasons people might need in home?

>> Sure.

I mean some of the other larger categories that you want to think about is who can take over the chores or the the daily maintenance of your home things you think about would be lawn maintenance of course.

Sure.

But there are other things just paying the utilities and your finances and getting those things done because those things can become very overwhelming or frustrating to you as you age.

So knowing who you can reach out to or you can hire to help you in those situations but also just daily chores like dishes and laundry and food preparation, things like that thinking about who may or may not need that service now.

But as you think about how to age, you can think about who might fill that need exactly.

>> We're in and you know again what those needs are.

I mean you talked about maybe helping with meals.

>> Maybe you just need somebody to take you to the grocery transportation, go for you to the grocery I mean things like that.

>> Exactly right.

How are you if you don't drive anymore, how are you going to get to your doctor's office visits?

Right.

Or your your religious services or what you like to do?

How are you going to arrange transportation?

That's another very big one as well.

And then of course the biggest is just taking care of your own health care needs.

>> Do you need medications or what medications bathing trans following from your bed or out of a chair any of the Culham activities of daily living and have those things you want to think about who what that person be?

Some people have friends or neighbors or or siblings or kids but then also some people don't or you need that next level of actual trained or skilled individuals that might come to your home.

That's all you think about the cost that's involved in that?

Well, I think sometimes you know, from from what I've heard from people it's not always whether or not you have somebody in the family or a neighbor or whatever to help you.

>> It's maybe you don't want to impose too much and if you are really starting to require some special needs then maybe you would be more comfortable spending the money to hire somebody to do those things and then reserve the family for emergencies.

>> Being a family in your family and some times you know your child is not the best caregiver themselves.

That's their personality, right?

They would rather be but be a daughter and not a caregiver.

So those are exactly things to consider or they're often maybe at that stage of their life they're busy with their own families and they have several kids and running their own life .

>> You know, maybe they just don't have the time to come every every day you've got some solutions.

>> No.

And I'm so excited to hear about it, Amber.

It works in the enrollment area and pays what it pays and now that's a spin off of age aging and in-home services.

>> And yes, we are another program aging and In-Home Services offers.

We offer some home and community based services that connect individuals in the community to the services and supports that just help keep them safe in the home, keep them independent and allow them to age in place.

>> Well, how do you get started I mean how do you begin to make decisions engineering you could jump in here to how do you make decisions of when it's time to ask for help or if you want to apply to pace or some program when is it time and who do you go to for help?

>> Sure.

OK, well let me take that one.

It's a then you jump in OK well a lot of it is your level of care so it may start off with just needing a couple of hours of someone coming to the home and your finances can support that and you have the wherewithal to make that happen.

But as you need help with more more activities of daily living, the price increases and so a lot of people dependent on a number of hours of help, you know, what about the type of help you need that very yes.

>> If you think about just some numbers up, it should be an average rate of some caregiver coming to your home is about twenty five dollars an hour.

So if you start simple even four hours a day you do the math on that.

That's three thousand dollars a month.

That's thirty six thousand dollars a year.

So that adds very quickly and that's only four hours a day.

So as your care needs increase the financial drain on it increases but also a lot of the programs require a certain level of needs so they may be triggered when you need at least three activities of daily living assistance so it can be both financial or health care, that kind trigger you into that next step and that's really an individual decision on whether you think that you need more or not.

But aging in-home home services is a great resource in town and they will come out and do an assessment library for many people to aging and in-home services.

>> Let's talk about what do they do and then what does Pace do as a part of that?

>> So aging and in-home services starts most of the referral process for the program so they would connect individuals to the space program if that's something that they're interested in and we just start our conversation in the home on the little fine details of the program and if that's something they're interested in then we would proceed.

>> So then somebody from aging in America pays then or would go and visit that potential client in their home to see their home and what the needs are and then to visit with them individually and see do they need medical help or yes.

>> Yes.

Screening or whatever.

Yeah.

Sitting down with them in their caregiver, finding out what their needs are and how we can best meet those.

>> Are you able to give them at that time and we don't want to talk money amounts now because that's going to vary from person to person but my question just generally is are you able to give them after that interview a rough idea of what it might cost them to use the program?

>> Yes, we just review mainly if they're looking at Medicaid ,Medicaid would pay for the program.

If they're not interested in a Medicaid application, then we look at different private pay options.

Do you help them with Medicaid application?

Yes, I'll do the Medicaid application with them.

I can help with the phone interview and submitting documents.

>> Oh OK.

Very sure do most people would apply get approved or what are some rough percentages.

>> Yitz we're finding very easy to get people to prove there's I don't know if there's been a time that we've actually had to deny anyone the medical need usually is so great when you finally reach out for help.

>> Yeah well I one of the things that in reading about this program that I discovered that you have I think is wonderful is like a day a day center a daycare center.

>> What's that about?

So the day center is what's pretty unique about our program so potential participants can come in and visit.

But if you're a participant you come in and socialize.

We provide hot meals and snacks, just a lot of different activities, games on site too.

That's when our providers can meet with them.

So that could be the doctor that could be physical therapy.

Yes.

And this is in a building that you own.

>> Yes.

OK, OK. What do you know about anything to to jump in with if any clients of yours that you're working with as an elder law attorney do they need or utilize that type of service do and a lot of time not a lot of times but we get clients who are hesitant.

We know they want to age at home and we know they have the care need but they're hesitant about leaving and going to the facility.

And so when that comes up with my clients I say, you know what, just go take a look at it.

They're not going to force you to stay if you don't like it, you can tell them now.

>> Yeah, it is such a lovely facility and it really is a one stop shop if they need to have their laundry done and if they did political therapy they just signed me up.

>> Exactly what if they just need to have socialization?

That's what I was curious about because maybe you know, if if you can make all the other arrangements to get things taken care of , whether it's mowing the lawn or cleaning your house or getting your groceries but you know you're home loan, right.

>> And maybe you just need a little bit of social interaction each week.

Are there minimum maximum hours they can use the day center?

>> How about that Amber?

Yeah, so days will vary could be usually one to three days.

We're open Monday through Friday but don't generally have someone in every single day of the week and hours are really our personal preference.

If they're new they might come in at 10 a.m. and go home at three p.m.

It just really varies I see nicely.

>> Could they find you through aging in in-home services to get a reference with information on how to reach you?

>> Yes, absolutely.

They can start with aging and in-home services.

They could call us directly and there's even on our website something that they can ask questions for .

OK, well speaking of references and opportunities, Janelle brought this wonderful book and I hope this will at everybody to see it.

>> I didn't know that it was available but it's something that certainly would fit for a lot of you and finding some answers about this resource book GENEL It is we refer to it as the Bible.

>> It is a fantastic resource guide.

It's published annually.

So it's very it's kept up to date.

We're at the point the year where they're running out because so many people want these but it is also online so if you're if you want to get on a computer you're more than welcome and we'll have all that information.

But the actual booklet itself can be found several locations throughout Fort Wayne including the community center.

The libraries are some amazing home services.

We have some in our office so there you can find them those places.

But as a one stop shop of this nature it is fabulous.

>> I mean it would save somebody a lot of time do the research for you, right?

Just glancing through here or you know, there's like support groups, prescription medication, nursing facilities, mental health memory care units, housing hospitals, hospice just like everything government offices and it gives you addresses and phone numbers and that sort of thing food, food services, transportation, all of the things that we mentioned about aging well in your home right there is are your sources on who you can call and ask more questions about those issues that you want to address when you're thinking about aging in your home.

>> Is there a cost for this notes or free?

Seriously, this is a great guide and as you can see there's a lot of information and this takes place of some of you might remember the Yellow Pages back.

>> I had to explain what the Yellow Pages were of my grandson.

What what was did you have books, you know, with people's phone numbers?

>> Why didn't you just Google or something?

>> Right.

Right.

Well, thank you for for for this idea, Janelle.

I think that's that's a wonderful source.

>> OK, let's go back to talking about aging in home and in some of the things that you might need.

>> What does Paice stand for the program all inclusive care for the elderly.

>> Oh OK. Say it again program for all program all inclusive care for the elderly.

>> OK, do you remember that night?

That's why I called them.

I don't remember that.

Okay you don't have to remember just look for place and the resource guide ok how do you know when it's time for somebody to seek a program like Amber what's the diagnosis.

Does a doctor tell them it's time do their kids how do you know there's a wide variety of diffrent sources that might say something usually it's the kids a lot of times when they're visiting from out of state for holidays that's when we have an influx of calls.

Doctors you refer to us just really varies.

>> There's a lot of different community sources I see I see you said holidays and whatever and I've heard that many times before that often it's at Thanksgiving or Christmas when the relatives are all coming for dinner or for the weekend and they haven't seen grandpa for two years or and they are shocked by the change and they may pick up on that quicker than the people that are right around them all the time, the people that live in the same area because they've just observed the reclining grandchildren.

>> Yeah, ok. OK. >> Do you as an attorney ever refer people to services like that or what do you do when you absolutely you know again as an attorney we've we're having these conversations and a lot of time is doing financially prepared for them.

So when you're thinking about paying for those things you're thinking about well what are my options?

You obviously if you have a high income or you have a nest egg and you can pay for these things properly, then you can make those decisions.

But a lot of people are looking to supplement those care costs.

Yeah.

So that is kind of what brings us into that conversation and we can talk about ways to help pay for the cost so we can talk about long term care insurance or VA benefits or right where peace comes in is it's actually a state funded program.

So that is the state actually helping to supplement your care costs so that can look like a Medicaid waiver application or it can look like a pace application.

So various resources that are available to you to have a conversation about and see which of those fits best for you and for your goals.

>> So just don't don't automatically assume that, you know, I don't have really much money in my savings account.

>> I can't begin to afford any of these at home services.

>> Don't assume that until you've exhausted people that might be able to help.

We do have a phone call here this evening.

Fred has called in.

Fred, thank you so much for calling us here on LIFE Ahead and what is your question question for our ladies tonight?

Well, Sandy , I'm very much will stay at home.

OK, hi.

It's good.

>> I'm 86 years old.

Good for you.

I work part time but I have Parkinson's.

>> OK, all right.

Problem with staying at home having Parkinson's when I age OK you get it.

>> Give me some ideas ok. All right.

Thank you so much Fred for calling in and for for sharing that information.

>> So then I'm gathering you're saying that you're staying at home now at eighty six but you do have Alzheimer's and you have Parkinson's.

>> Is that Parkinson's not Alzheimer's I part not all timers OK Parkinson's my wife loses me now ok do you have physical limitations yet.

>> I most have problems with downs ok ok all right.

Do you require a lot of medications or medical help moderate ok all right all right who can give him some ideas.

>> Fred needs some help here is the kind of person that might seek help from Paiste.

>> Absolutely our physical and occupational therapist would work one on one to help with some of those balance issues right now with Parkinson's he will have probably some kind of issues like that.

>> So now do these therapies does he have to go to that center the day center or do you can you send people to his home?

>> We're very flexible so we can do in the day center or in the home as well.

>> OK, all right.

What would you recommend anything know I would recommend what you did which was wonderful because you are asking more questions about what exactly do you need because Parkinson's can be on a wide range or many different types of symptoms.

>> Exactly.

So I'm glad that he mentioned the balance which is exactly what Amber addressed.

Yeah, So I would want to know what exactly are you struggling with?

Do you need something now or are you worried about the future?

So we need to have kind of I would need to flush out a little bit more to see what exactly he is needing and then we would talk about the various sources that are available to him and what would help them.

I know one thing that hasn't come up yet.

I just want to make it clear-ant gotten there quite yet but to take heart in pace I do have to be safe in their home.

So OK, this is not something you've asked a couple of different ways and that is you know, when do you know if the PACE program is right for you so if you can benefit they have a wide variety of benefits but at the end of the day when you go home place needs to make sure that you're going to be home and be safe in your home that night.

>> So it sounds like I would be completely fine because he's just experiencing some some balance issues but that's one of the things that would be discussed too.

>> So it's really finding out specifically what he needs and it's important too that that Fred shared that he has with wife lives at home.

>> And you know, Fred you know ,maybe depending on on your wife's health or do you need help as well?

>> Do you both need help or or just one of you?

>> So thank you, Fred, so much.

Now Doug has called in as well.

Let me read Doug's question here.

He says this How can someone keep their parents home?

I have parents house if the parents are sent to a nursing home and the house is in the parent's name.

>> OK, this is a legal question for you.

You know I get this question.

I bet you do.

It's very common for people to.

>> Yes.

So I think what Doug is referring to is to be eligible for Medicaid you do need to have under two thousand dollars in your name when you apply what you mean savings checking account and exactly.

>> So the house is one of those things we actually have lots of different options to go there so we can apply for Medicaid and have the house as an exempted asset meaning that it will count as zero.

>> Now there's some can you do that?

>> There's an exemption so you can she can do that if you're if it's for sale or otherwise they will count it as a zero asset that does come with a very bad back end though.

>> And what I mean by that is that while you are receiving Medicaid benefits, the state actually becomes a creditor and they're tallying the bill of what they've been providing to you.

>> So OK for all those years, whatever services yes.

They keep track of what that would have cost.

You're exactly right.

So if you get to the point where your parents have passed away but they still have the home in their name because we got it as an exempt asset, whatever the bill is out there, they can come back and claim the value and to get reimbursed.

So it really you know, forces a sale at that point.

>> So that's what we want to kind of stay away with.

But there if we had if we again I need more information so that I'm trying to answer generally but if we know that your parents need help in the future, we if we had five years elder law attorneys you need to make an appointment they would really be able to speak to you about this but different strategies.

So if we know we had five years we could utilize a tool called Asset Preservation Trust.

We could put the home into something like that.

>> It would become a one hundred percent protected so we would not count with that two thousand dollars down on the limit and on the back end it wouldn't be able to be touched for reimbursement.

>> So it's protected all around but this is a legal process so they need to see an attorney go through that.

OK, if you meet the activities of daily living that the health requirements sure are limited by having a home or by having too many assets that is your perfect opportunity to have a conference with an elder law attorney.

We have a lot of tools in our tool belt and you don't have to spend down to two thousand dollars.

Right?

That's kind of a you know what you hear that's not true of you other laws we have lots of different tools and I can't protect the home and that's certainly good news for you, Doug.

And you know, I've also had attorneys on the show often remind people that it's never too late if you're already in a nursing home, there are still ways you can can work with ASEP at time.

>> We're almost out of time here unfortunately.

My goodness, this half hour went fast for us here at fifteen seconds.

>> Janelle, what last bit of advice would you give people ?

>> Oh wow.

I think there is a plethora of different opportunities and availabilities in Fort Wayne .

>> You have a resource guide, you have programs we didn't mention this.

>> The pace is only in limited counties in Indiana.

We are blessed in Allen County to have pace so we're sure to see this right again.

Yeah, absolutely.

OK, I'll talk to an elder law attorney, talk to Pace, know what your different options are then you can make it your own OK?

>> Make it work for you.

Great advice.

Great advice.

Well I hope you've benefited from some of this information and education here on LIFE Ahead tonight and we're going to be back here on next Wednesday night at seven thirty with a new topic and a new guest again.& Sure.

Education and information meanwhile have a great night and stay healthy and stay safe tonight