NOV/DEC 2014
9
Do You Need a Caregiver
Agreement?
provides documentation for future
applications with Medicaid. She
says the most important thing is to
seek the advice of people who are
knowledgeable. “The earlier you
seek professional advice about the
Planning ahead can make health-care
rules and regulations that control
nursing homes and financial needs
decisions easier
of end of life, the better off you are,”
she said. “Medicaid is not going
by Martha Evans Sparks,
document is most necessary if the
to give people advice on how to
Staff Writer
care receiver should outlive his or
arrange their needs. If [someone]
her money and find it necessary to
wants to wisely organize the family
As we age, it is all but inevitable
apply to Medicaid for support. Unfinances, they ought to talk to a
we will eventually need help with
der current law, Medicaid requires
knowledgeable professional.”
daily tasks of living. We may even
family members to return money
Lexington lawyer Carolyn L. Kenton
This is not necessarily the
need to hire a caregiver to assist us.
informally paid to them and use the
accountant or the lawyer. The conLexington lawyer Carolyn L. Kenmoney to pay a nursing home. Only
Grandma has one foot in the nurscern now is transfers at death. The
ton, who specializes in elder law,
when that money is gone will Meding home and the other foot on the
death tax does not begin until $5
believes a formal, legal caregiver
icaid kick in. But if the payments
Ronald Reagan Each state
president.
million at federal level.was the 40th banana peel.”
agreement is a good idea for almost were made under a written, arm’sShe has
that
has a differentfast becoming friends on their a six-word mantra TV.
law. In Kentucky,
“The Golden Girls” were
first season on
everybody, whether you are alone
length employment agreement
summarizes the reason caregiver
if you are leaving assets to your
or have numerous family members prepared by a lawyer (sometimes A gallon of gas cost one dollar and twenty cents.
agreements are a good idea: “Prior
children, there is no inheritance
willing to help you when you can
called a personal-care contract),
tax, no matter the size of the estate, proper planning prevents poor
no longer care for yourself.
you have a much better chance the
performance.”
Kenton said.
You might already have a will and law will allow it. To help you deal
Kenton is available to speak to
Kenton says just because you do
a power of attorney giving a trusted with Medicaid, the contract must
your club or other group about
not have $5 million does not mean
person power to act for you if you
spell out services very carefully.
you should not plan. “The need [is] these issues. She may be reached
become incapacitated. You might
“If you wash Mom’s clothes, you
at her office, 120 North Mill St,
knowledge, information,” she said.
have a living will outlining the kind have to assign a value to that in
Lexington, KY 40507 or call her at
of end-of-life care you prefer. So
T H “Most people don’t think of it9 8 W A 281-0048.
H E Y 1 until (859)
order for you to [have] a contract E Y E A R TW A S E A R 5 … S 1 9 8 5 …
why do you need another piece of
that holds up with Medicaid.
Ronald Reagan was the 40th president. was the 40th president.
Ronald Reagan
“The Golden
“The Golden friendswere fast becoming friends
Girls” on their
paper? What is a caregiver agreeThey want to be sure they protect Girls” were fast becoming QUALITYfirst season on TV. on29 YEARS! TV.
5 STARA gallon twenty cents. OVER their first season on
FOR
ment?
the public purse. They do that by A gallon of gas cost one dollar and of gas cost one dollar and twenty cents.
A caregiver agreement is in effect letting it be known that they are
a contract. It sets forth definite dunot particularly generous,” said
ties for a named caregiver, includKenton.
ing things such as arranging doctor
The pay rate should be in line
appointments and taking the care
with pay rates in your area. Medreceiver to them; paying bills; and
Join us for
icaid officials do not look kindly
managing the checkbook. In case
on using a caregiver agreement as
the care receiver must be admitted
a way to transfer a large amount of
Enjoy CARE-FREE
to a nursing home, the caregiver
money to another person in an atmight make frequent – often daily – t