The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders Team | Updated March 2026 Most states run pharmaceutical assistance programs that help seniors pay for medications Medicare Part D does not fully cover. These programs are specifically designed for people struggling with prescription costs, they serve middle-income seniors (not just the very
The Money Maze
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parent needs new glasses. They've been wearing the same pair for three years, and they&
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders Team | Updated March 2026 Your parent's life insurance was bought when you were small, the mortgage was big, and the whole point was protecting the family if something terrible happened. Now the kids are grown, the paycheck is gone, and
The Money Maze
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parent just retired, or their employer made cuts, and suddenly there's a gap. They had
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders Team | Updated March 2026 Medicare does not cover everything, which is why supplemental insurance exists. Medigap is the most well-known option, but it is not the only one. Hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness coverage, accident insurance, and Medicare Advantage plans each fill
The Money Maze
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. One of the hardest conversations you can have with an aging parent is about what happens after they&
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders editorial team Your parent served in the military decades ago and has not thought about the VA since they got out. Now they are facing long-term care costs, and you just learned there is a benefit that could put $1,000 to
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders editorial team If your parent served in the military, there is a sprawling set of VA programs that most families never hear about. Aid and Attendance gets the attention, but there is also healthcare that sometimes rivals Medicare, pension programs, survivor benefits,
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders Team | Updated March 2026 Long-term care insurance covers the help your parent will need if they can no longer manage daily life on their own: nursing homes, assisted living, home aides, memory care. Medicare does not pay for this kind of ongoing
The Money Maze
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You've found the policy in your parent's filing cabinet, or maybe you knew it
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders Team | Updated March 2026 Spend-down is the process of using your parent's own savings and resources to pay for care until their assets drop to the Medicaid threshold. At that point, Medicaid takes over. It is devastating to watch, it
The Money Maze
Reviewed by the How To Help Your Elders Team | Updated March 2026 After your parent dies, the state can seek repayment for the Medicaid benefits it paid during their lifetime. This is called estate recovery, and the family home is usually the primary target. Most families do not learn about