****** What is elder law? Elder law is a growing field of law that deals with the issues faced by the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, seniors. With the goal of Asset Protection and aging in place, this area of law combines parts of Long Term Care Planning, Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning, and Veterans’ Benefits, where applicable. With proper planning (getting your “ducks in a row”), you can protect your hard earned money from the devastating cost t of a nursing home, perhaps even allowing yourself to stay in your home rather than move into a nursing home. You can do this without selling your house, without wiping out your life savings, without leaving your spouse penniless, and still leave an inheritance for your children. The Law Office of Michael L. Brumbaugh, 310 E Boalt Street Suite E Sandusky, Ohio 44870 Where will I get long term care if I can’t stay at home, and how will I pay for it? If you’re unable to stay at home, then that probably means you’re going into assisted living or a nursing home. Medicaid’s well established in Ohio for nursing home care and most nursing homes take Medicaid. So that will probably be your source of payment once you’re done private paying and you’re qualified for Medicaid. Assisted living is more difficult; most assisted living facilities in Ohio do not take Medicaid, and once they do take Medicaid, are allowed to set their own parameters as to when they will accept Medicaid, and here’s an example. You may go into assisted living and one assisted living says you have to private pay for six months before they will allow you to get on to Medicaid. Another assisted living facility might say you have to private pay for two years before you can get on to Medicaid. So when it comes to assisted living, sadly here in Ohio, this part’s ____, at least we have a program, but the sad part is that it’s fairly new and they’re still working the kinks out of it. ****** ******