*Please note: This information is provided for educational purposes only. The availability of each program is determined by that government agency and the individual’s situation. Please consult directly with your insurance company or the government program.

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Frequently, senior adults who need long-term care will cannot rise from bed, bath safely and take care of personal hygiene on their own. They require help from others to take care of these daily living tasks and others that will confront them throughout the day. Once it becomes apparent that these needs are real and pressing, they face the question: how will we face paying for long term care?

Below, we offer a number of resources that are available to people confronted with this question. Since each option carries different consequences, we suggest you consult a financial or insurance advisor as well as reading through the resources below.

Oregon Long-Term Care Insurance

Some seniors plan ahead and purchase long term care insurance prior to needing it. They therefore get it at a much lower cost. The long-term care insurance policies are more complex in comparison to the regular insurance policies, such as home, life and vehicle. When researching this option, you'll want to understand what physical and medical condition someone needs to be in before insurance begins to pay for one's care.

For more information go to: www.longtermcare.gov

Oregon Reverse Mortgage

An Oregon reverse mortgage is a recent plan that some senior citizens older than age 62 rely on. It enables homeowners to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free cash without having to sell, give up their title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. In an Oregon reverse mortgage the payment stream is "reversed." Instead of making monthly payments to a lender, a lender makes payments to the senior allowing them to remain in their home, or move into a long-term care facility.

For more information go to: www.reversemortgage.org

Oregon Medicare Helps with Short-Term Care Costs

Oregon Medicare is a federal health-insurance program that covers most Americans over the age of 65. It helps pay for short-term medical expenses, such as hospitalization, doctor bills, x-rays, radiation, and a variety of other tests and therapies. A co-payment for a part of the expenses may be required. However, Medicare does not pay for nonmedical care, such as long-term care and assistance with daily living activities, except in a few situations as the following outlines:

Hospitalization:

To qualify for Oregon Medicare, a senior citizen must have spent three nights in the hospital and must enter a nursing home within thirty days for rehabilitation for the same condition for which they were hospitalized.

If conditions are met, Medicare fully covers the first twenty days of long-term care and partially covers up to the next eighty days.

Days	What Medicare Pays	What You Pay
1-20	Full cost	Nothing
21-100	All but a daily copayment	A daily copayment
Beyond 100	Nothing	Full cost

Other Considerations:

Oregon Medicare payments will continue as long as a senior is in a skilled rehabilitation program that is producing results, such as improved health, strength, coordination and flexibility. Once skilled rehabilitation is no longer effective in improving a senior's condition, Medicare will stop paying - even if it's still within 100 days.

Families need to be strong advocates at the hospital for getting a senior into a nursing home if the family can't care for them at home.

Oregon Medicaid Helps with Paying for Long-Term Care

If a senior requires residence at a nursing home or long-term care facility, they may qualify for Oregon Medicaid once their assets have been depleted.

For those over the age of 65, Oregon Medicaid helps pay for nursing home costs once a senior has exhausted all, or almost all, of their own means. Oregon Medicaid generally pays for care in a certified nursing home. Since regulations vary from state to state, check this government site then select "Medicaid/Medicare" for the rules in your state.

Once a senior citizen qualifies, they will have to pay any remaining monthly income, such as social security or pension checks, to the nursing home. Oregon Medicaid only pays the difference between the senior's remaining income and the nursing home's monthly charge.

Find out more about how to pay for long-term care by contacting an insurance or financial consultant.