Senior Resources for

Aging in Place Safety,

Care & Funding

Practical senior resources for aging in place home safety checklists,

care planning tools, Medicare/Medicaid & VA snapshots,

and senior-friendly funding options.

Senior Resources to Help You Age in Place

Safely and Affordably

Looking for trusted senior resources to help you or a loved one age in place? You’re in the right spot. Below you’ll find practical, easy to understand tools for home safety, care planning, and understanding Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits plus guidance on senior-friendly funding like a Retirement Mortgage (Senior Mortgage) to support care and home upgrades. These resources are created by Michele L. Albohn, a Certified Mortgage Advisor and Certified Reverse Mortgage Specialist with 20+ years serving seniors in elder law, Medicaid planning, and healthcare finance. Please use these downloads to reduce fall risk, plan care hours, fill benefit gaps, and make smart, confident decisions without leaving home.

Care Hours Budget

Planner

Size your weekly care needs and create a clear funding plan to ensure you have the support you need.

Hospital-to-Home Discharge

Checklist

Avoid the readmission spiral with this crucial guide for the first 7 days after a hospital stay.

Benefits Snapshot: Medicare, Medicaid & VA

Understand what's covered (and what's not) in plain English with this comprehensive benefits guide

Stay-at-Home Funding Options

At a Glance

Compare savings, LTC insurance, Senior Mortgage, HELOC, and other funding options side by side.

Heirs & Home Equity: What

Families Should Know

Set clear expectations about equity, inheritance, and next steps for your loved ones.

"Is a Senior Mortgage Right for Me?" Quick Quiz

A simple self-assessment to see if exploring this option makes sense for your

situation.

Medicare (generally age 65+)

What it may cover: Hospital, doctors, short-term rehab, home health (skilled & short term).
Limits to know: Home health is intermittent/skilled, not long-term daily caregiving;
rehab coverage is time-limited and progress-dependent; copays/deductibles apply.
Won’t cover: 24/7 care, long-term custodial help (bathing, dressing, meal prep) over the long haul.
Does NOT cover entire rehab stays. The first 20 days only are paid in full by
Medicare if it is deemed medically necessary. Days 21-100 have a Medicare co-pay
of $209.50 per day. (as of 2025)
Consider speaking with a Medicare specialist about changing your Medicare plan to maximize your coverage if you have been in rehab already.

Medicaid (income/asset-tested)

What it may cover: Long-term care in a nursing facility; in many states, home- and community-based services (HCBS) with waitlists and hour caps.
Limits to know: Strict financial eligibility; estate recovery rules; availability varies by state; hours may not meet actual need.
Action step: Pre-planning with an elder-law professional or Certified Medicaid Planner can protect eligibility and choice.
Covers non-skilled care for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
There is a 5 year look back of all assets and any funds deemed “gifted” to someone other than a spouse will create a penalty where you cannot have Medicaid pay for nursing home care.
It takes on average 2-3 months for nursing home Medicaid applications to be processed with your local state/county.

VA (for eligible veterans/spouses)

• What it may cover: Health care through VA; some home-based services; Aid & Attendance can help pay for personal care if criteria met.

• Limits to know: Eligibility, service requirements, and benefit amounts vary; documentation takes time.

Filling the Gaps

• Savings, family help, community programs, LTC insurance, Senior/Retirement Mortgage (Home-Equity Lifeline) to fund care hours, safety upgrades, and cash-flow breathing room.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Explore your options in more detail or start a conversation with an expert.

Learn how a Senior Mortgage works

Book a friendly consult with Michele

For more insights, read our latest Home Equity Lifeline articles on LinkedIn

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Senior or Retirement Mortgage?

It’s a senior-friendly way to use home equity for care, safety upgrades, or cash-flow relief often with no required monthly payment while you live in the home (you must keep taxes, insurance, and maintenance current).

Will this affect my Medicare or Social Security?

These programs generally aren’t affected by home-equity access. Means-tested benefits (like Medicaid) can be impacted; talk with your elder-law professional.