Senior Living Guide Spring 2024

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• LONG-TERM CARE What does Medicare cover? Is switching to Medicaid right for you? How about downsizing?

• LOSS OF SPOUSE Ways to get through the grief and know that you’re not alone in your berehavement.

• STAYING ACTIVE Gardening and walking keep you fit and are even better together.

• NUTRITION A brief look at dietary changes as one ages.

• SWIMMING Low-impact exercise that’s perfect for seniors.

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CONTENTS Long-term care, Medicare and Medicaid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Getting through the loss of your spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Gardening and walking keep you in shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8 Tips for maintaining nutrition as you age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Swimming and wading are great exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Publisher: Mark Weidler Section Editor: Peter C. Mastrosimone Marketing Director: Debrah Gordon Layout and Design: Gregg Cohen

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Senior Living Guide

Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

As seniors try to navigate the complexities of healthcare and financial planning, understanding the distinctions between Medicaid and Medicare is crucial, and safeguarding assets while ensuring eligibility for essential benefits becomes paramount. Many even contemplate downsizing as a means to manage expenses and simplify their lives.

It’s important to understand that Medicaid and Medicare are both government-sponsored healthcare programs, yet they serve different purposes and have distinct eligibility criteria.

By familiarizing themselves with available resources and seeking professional guidance when needed, seniors can make important decisions that support their health, well-being and financial security in their golden years.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, including seniors, people with disabilities, pregnant women and children.

In New York, Medicaid eligibility criteria includes income level, assets, age, disability status and citizenship.

It’s important for older adults aged 65 and older to understand the intricacies of Medicaid and Medicare, on the other hand, is a federal Medicare when considering their options for long-term care, such as living in a nursing home or health insurance program designed for indimoving in with family. viduals aged 65 and older. tain strategies can be employed: insurance privately will cost them close to Medicare consists of several parts, as “So for community Medicaid, the part that $1,000 a month.” detailed on nyc.gov: Medicare only covers 80 percent of a medi- allows you to get a home attendant, at the Part A: Hospital insurance, covering inpamoment, we have what they call a ‘one-month tient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility cal bill, and one must usually pay a deductible look-back period,’” Lippman said. “So you and co-insurance and make co-payments. care, hospice care and some home health care.

“It forces the person to purchase supple- can have a million dollars in the account Part B: Medical insurance, covering servicmental insurance to cover the other 20 per- today, but you transfer it out before the end of es such as doctor visits, outpatient care, medithe month, you’re eligible on the first of the cent,” Lippmann said. cal supplies and preventive services.

He noted that Medicare does not cover next month.”

Part C, otherwise known as Medicare He added that a law was passed to impleAdvantage: Plans offered by private compa- long-term care.

“It doesn’t pay nursing homes or home-care ment a two-year look-back period. nies approved by Medicare, which often “Which means if you transferred any assets services,” Lippmann said. “When a person include Part A, Part B and sometimes Part D comes out from the hospital and goes to a in the last two and a half years, they will benefits. nursing home, Medicare does pay for a little penalize you for that, which means that it Part D: Prescription drug coverage, availwould take longer to get Medicaid until the bit of rehab, meaning that they’ll pay the first able through private insurance companies that penalty period expires. But it’s not implement20 days, 100 percent.” contract with Medicare. ed yet. It’s on hold because of Covid,” The covered cost decreases as time When a person has both Medicare and Lippman said. increases.

Medicaid, Medicare pays first and Medicaid For those who have surplus income but are “Then, the next 80 days, Medicare pays 50 pays last. seeking long-term care with a home care Jack Lippmann, president and founder of percent care, and the supplemental insurance Elder Care Services, Inc. at 97-37 63 Road in pays the other 50 percent,” he said. “But that’s attendant, there are two options.

“One is to surrender the surplus income to for 80 days, so the maxRego Park, said, “Mediimum that a person can Medicaid,” Lippmann said. “Or they can join care is a privilege. A get for a nursing home a pooled income trust and deposit their surperson who worked all their lives, or at least 10 o check if you’re eligible [on Medicare] is 100 plus income into the pooled trust. And then they can use the money in the pooled trust to days.” years, and reached the for Medicaid, visit When opting for pay their bills. So this way, they don’t lose age of 65 is entitled to long-term care in the their money. But that’s only for community Medicare.” nystateofhealth.ny.gov. form of nursing homes Medicaid, for home care. For nursing home He explained that at and home care, Medic- Medicaid, they cannot have more than $50 65, one is required to and no pooled trust.” apply for Medicare, which can be done start- aid is a safe choice.

Another option could be downsizing or In order to qualify, one must not have assets ing three months before his or her 65th birthselling a home. that exceed $31,175. day and up to three months after. If someone If applying for community Medicaid, “You For those looking to reside in a nursing neglects to apply for Medicare upon turning home, income must not exceed $50 per month. can transfer [funds] and then you’re OK the 65, he or she will face late enrollment penalfollowing month,” Lippmann said.

Excess income will go to the nursing home to ties, which will increase the longer it takes for “For nursing homes, you transfer and then cover costs for care. Alternatively, for longthe person to sign up. they’ll look at what you transferred and the term home care, income eligibility is capped “Medicare insurance, which is the best fair market value of the property,” he said. “So at $1,732. insurance you can get out there, only costs that’s when someone might need people like For seniors who are aiming to qualify for $174 a month,” Lippmann said. “So a person us to come in and assist them, so that they would be crazy not to apply, because the same benefits while safeguarding their assets, cer-

T

don’t lose their whole investment. I try to save some of it.

Consulting with an elder law attorney o r financial advisor specializing in Medicai d planning can provide invaluable guidance on asset protection strategies tailored to individual circumstances.

Lippmann told the Chronicle that Elde r Care Services, Inc. can help when filling ou t applications for long-term care services.

“We assist the elderly and disabled with their Medicaid, home care or nursing home care, because there’s only two applications here: Home care or nursing home applications,” Lippmann said. “At the same time, we protect their income, their resources and thei r homes. So with community Medicaid, we can save them 100 percent. When it comes to nursing homes, it depends upon the transfers.”

For nursing homes, he said his company can save 50 percent of the cost, or sometimes even more depending on the income and fees charged by the facility.

Asked what frequent questions he gets about the process, Lippmann said people often ask how long the application process will take when inquiring about long-term care.

“It’s not in our hands,” he said. “We don’t have any control of that.”

Lippmann explained that, when applying for nursing home care, if someone has been honest in the application, there should be no issues or delay — but it can take up to a year.

“Sometimes it takes them eight months to approve an application,” he said. “Now, if there was something done wrong, and yo u send it in, now, eight months later, they send you a letter saying, ‘You have issues on X, Y and Z.’” Lippmann said corrections can be fixed, but will cost time and money.

“Yes, you can correct them, but sometimes you lose money by doing corrections because you didn’t Jack Lippmann o f know,” he said. “Had Elder Care Services they told you eight Inc. in Rego Park. months before when PHOTO BY MARK LORD / FILE you filed it that you did something wrong, you can correct it righ t away.”

Lippmann added, “Once they approve an application for a nursing home, they pay the nursing home retroactively from the time tha t we filed the application.”

On community Medicaid, he said the government is allowed 45 days to approve or deny an application for someone without a pool trust. If the person does have a pool trust, the 45 days increases to 90.

For more information on Medicaid eligibility, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov. For information on applying for long-term care, visit nyc. gov/site/hra/help/long-term-care.

To speak with Lippmann for information regarding Medicaid applications and how to Q qualify, visit eldercareservicesny.com.

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Senior Living Guide

Bereavement: Helping to heal the hurt

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The loss of spouses, siblings and longtime friends can be devastating. But older adults in Queens who don’t want to handle their grief alone don’t have to, with bereavement counseling available either in group settings or one-on-one through churches, social service groups and other agencies.

The bereavement services program for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is run by Catholic Charities. Many parishes in Queens offer their own programs.

Deacon Mauclair Simon, a licensed master social worker, heads the program. The intent, according to Simon and the program’s web page, is to serve as a space where healing can begin.

“Anyone who has lost a loved one could benefit from counseling,” Simon said in a recent interview. But he added that there is not any one-size-fits-all approach. Older adults, he said, will react differently than children or young adults.

He said it is not uncommon for someone who has been married for decades to be hit harder than someone who has suffered a loss after just a few years.

“With a senior couple, you can be looking for help to fill a void after 40 years or 30 years,” he said.”

Some people need open meetings, while others do better in smaller groups or with individual counselors.

Richard Slizeski, vice president of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens, said its programs are designed to help people through the various stages of grief, and that lists of different, specialized programs are available from its office.

Information on Catholic Charities bereavement services can be found online at bit.ly/48WFWoR. Deacon Simon can

Support is available in Queens for seniors who need help overcoming the loss of a spouse. be reached either at (718) 722-6214 or by email at mauclair. simon@ccbq.org.

Commonpoint Queens offers scores of programs and services for those of all ages. Grief counseling is among those offered to older adults.

Shelly Channan, also a licensed master social worker, runs a bereavement group at Commonpoint’s Sam Field Older Adult Center in Forest Hills. Her program is for those

60 and older who have lost a spouse, though she said there is no one on the group’s waiting list right now.

“Our group runs on a 10-week cycle,” Channan said. “We usually have about five people, no more than 12.”

Channan’s group also requires people to be at least three months removed from a spouse’s death.

“Until then, you’re kind of dealing with logistics,” she said. “Legal matters, paperwork, bureaucracy, always answering the phone. There’s really no space for grief. You don’t know how you feel. You need to give it room.”

And Channan said grief looks much different today than before the pandemic.

Of her group, she said, “It’s not for everybody — it depends on the individual. Loss is personal. Grief is ou r best friend; that’s what I tell people. It has to be our best friend, because during the process it’s the only thing with you. Befriend it. Get to know it. You wake up in the morning and it’s there. You go to bed at night and it’s there.

“So typically, you don’t have group members inside of three months out from the loss. Otherwise, it’s so new an d fresh. They’re not going to be able to work through the therapeutic process. There’s work that’s not going to be done.”

After 10 weeks, members are re-evaluated.

“If they feel they need to do one more cycle with the group then we might consider it,” Channan said. “Some people feel that after 10 weeks they are in a good place, in a healthy place. And they move on.”

The center is at 67-09 108 St. and can be reached conveniently by multiple bus and subway lines.

Information for those interested in participating in the Q group can be found online at bit.ly/3wZSizh.

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Senior Living Guide

Keep your resolution on the trail or garden

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

Find yourself in a rut and struggling to stick to your New Year’s resolution to stay fit?

There are several walking and gardening programs in Queens that will help you get out of your funk and help you to take your first step toward a healthier lifestyle this year.

Elizabeth Madison, the manager leading the Wise Walking Warrior Program, will kick off the spring session next month for eight weeks on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from May 8 to June 29, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Springfield Park in Springfield Gardens.

“It’s for people age 60 and up,” said Madison, who is also the founder of the Wellness & Lifestyle Transformation Center. “If you have an AARP card you are pretty good to go.”

The program is free, said Madison.

The fitness instructor for the walk, who also teaches a Zumba class at the park, is Lizzette Bennette, Madison added.

“The fitness classes are high energy and low impact ... They are familiar and trained to work with seniors,” said Madison.

“They will go on the trail around all of Springfield Park and then she will bring them back to a grassy area, which is better for their knees and balance and do a workout. The last 10 minutes she will uses stretchy bands and light 10-pound weights.”

Along with the trails, people also get to use the fitness equipment at the park.

People can contact Madison at (855) 958-9958 or email her at elizabeth@yourwlt.com to learn more.

People can also register for the program on-site at the tennis courts at the park, which is located at 147th and Springfield avenues.

Guests of the Queens Botanical Garden can walk its trails and PHOTO COURTESY QBG later make pieces of art with garden tools.

If you are looking for something a little more low-key, the Eastern Queens Alliance Community Peace Garden, located at 149th Avenue and Springfield Lane, is a great place people can go, according to EQA Chairwoman Barbara Brown.

“We are putting together a Community Peace Garden and we are asking for volunteers, who can be any age,” Brown said. “We have a volunteer gardening program.”

The program will be ongoing for Saturdays at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Brown hopes to have it running in late March or early April when the weather gets warmer.

“We also have plans for a trail for it and we are getting ready to select plant seeds for it,” she said.

If people want to learn more about the garden, call Brown

at (347) 824-3201 or reach her by email at info@eastern queensalliance.org.

“It’s right next door to the Idlewild Environmental Center,” Brown said. “It was a street bed where people were dumping.

We adopted, cleaned and fenced it up ... with the support of Con Edison.”

There will be shrubs, flowers and a butterfly garden, she added.

The Queens Botanical Garden, located at 43-50 Main St. in Flushing, has both walking tours and gardening programs fo r the general public. From now until March 31, all programs are free. From April 1 to Dec. 15, programs on Wednesdays an d Sundays are free, but are $4 for seniors on other days, according to Jatnna Rodriguez, QBG’s director of programs.

“We have different workshops week-to-week and month-tomonth,” Rodriguez told the Chronicle. Sometimes peonies, roses or magnolias are in season in the garden, but it changes.

“People can look at pollinators in the garden, people can look at meditation in the garden or look at art in the garden, that is very popular with senior groups,” she said. “Seniors can also draw plants they see in the garden during tours with the botanical tools. Turmeric and flowers can also used fo r coloring.”

People can also tour QBG’s bee garden, Earth garden an d farm.

To learn more, visit queensbotanicalgarden.org.

Guests will also have the opportunity to go on a tour o f QBG’s rooftop where native plants such as sedum, lamb’s ear and cacti reside, or they may sign up to volunteer at the bee garden or Earth garden, which houses plants that can be Q cooked and have medicinal purposes.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MEDICAID

Community Medicaid eligibility is changing! years prior to fi lling, applicants will be disqualified for a period of time depending on the amount transferred. Disqualifications cannot be more than two and one-half years.

Presently, applicants can transfer any amount The last extension was to expire March 31, of money one month and become fi nancially 2024; however, rumors indicate a new extension eligible for Community Medicaid the following possibly to January 1, 2025 month. This window of opportunity is slowly What does it mean to new applicants once the closing in. Potential applicants should keep in new regulation goes into effect? If there were mind that the only way to avoid this issue is any transfers during the two and one-half (2.5) to apply before the rule is enforced.

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In October 2020 a new look-back period was passed forcing applicants to surrender two and one-half (2.5) years of financial statements.

However, due to the pandemic Medicaid was unable to enforce this new regulation and kept extending the starting date.

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bilitation, IV therapy, and post-surgery wound care. Residents of the nursing home also have access to additional medical and professional services offered at the facility such as cardiology, dentistry, family practice, geriatrics, ophthalmology, podiatry, psychiatry, pulmonary, radiology, surgery/orthopedics, pharmacy, social services, and recreation/activities.

Our staff of experienced, caring professionals are committed to restoring each Resident to his/her own optimal level of functioning. No matter how brief or extended the stay, our interdisciplinary approach combines excellence in health care with a special emphasis on the physical and emotional recovery of each Resident. Our Team approach includes not only our professional staff but Residents and families working together to maximize their quality of life.

For additional information, please contact William Petrie, Admissions Coordinator, at 718-206-5108 or 718-206-5000 or email at wpetrie@jhmc.org.

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Established in 1975, Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home is a not-for-profit hospital-based nursing home, whose mission is “to serve its residents in a way that is second to none.” As part of the larger MediSys Health Network (MediSys) serving Queens and East Brooklyn, the goal of Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home is to work with its affi liated health and behavioral health care providers, as well as other providers and community-based organizations throughout the community, to be the premier integrated healthcare delivery system by providing the highest quality, most cost-effective service, which is accessible and sensitive to all.

Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home is a modern state-of-the-art four-story, 228bed nursing and rehabilitation center located in Jamaica, Queens. The nursing home provides short and long-term individualized and specialized nursing services, rehabilitation therapy services (physical, occupational, speech), orthopedic rehabilitation, poststroke reha-

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Senior Living Guide

Established 1852

One of the greatest gifts you can give to those you love is a sense of security – the knowledge that you have taken care of everything.

St. Michael’s is a religious Cemetery open to people of all faiths. For more information including a free Resource Guide call 718-278-3240 or visit us at www.stmichaelscemetery.com.

St. Mary’s Community Mausoleum II

How nutritional needs change as people age Healthy eating is important at any age and can set the course for a life of vitality and wellness. Sufficient nutrition can help prevent chronic illnesses and make sure that growing bodies develop properly. As one ages, various changes take place in the body, making healthy eating even more essential.

According to Healthline, nutritional deficiencies can affect aging individuals, which can decrease quality of life and lead to poor health outcomes. People should pay attention to their vitamin and mineral intake. As a person ages, here are some approaches to consider.

• Consume fewer calories: According to Connie Bales, PhD, RD, associate director of the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at Durham VA Medical Center, people need fewer calories every decade.

That’s because individuals are moving around less and have less muscle. This causes a decline in metabolic rate.

• Include more nutrient-dense foods: Even though caloric needs go down with age, nutritional needs do not.

• Consume more lean protein: Muscle loss

and loss of strength can develop as a person ages. Healthline says the average adult loses 3 to 8 percent of their muscle mass each decade after age 30. Eating more protein could help aging bodies maintain muscle.

• Eat fortified cereals and grains: The ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease as one gets older and with the use of certain medicines. Many health professionals recommen d patients get more vitamin B12.

• Drink more fluids: Health.com says sensation of thirst declines with age. Drinking water and other fluids becomes a priority to stay hydrated. It also helps with digestion.

• Prioritize bone health: Osteoporosis is a concern for older adults, particularly women.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones become brittle and can break from only the slightes t bump or fall. Vitamin D and calcium help strengthen bones.

Individuals should speak with their health care providers and nutritionists for furthe r insight into their changing nutritional needs.

Such professionals can help customize diets P to address specific health concerns.

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Exercise provides a number of measureable benefits for people of all ages, including older adults.

Swimming may be especially beneficial for seniors.

Many people learn to swim in childhood. Though devotees may get in the water for fun rather than fitness, this popular, joyful and relaxing pastime may be the ideal exercise for seniors looking to improve their overall health, Individuals with mobility issues or arthriparticularly because it is very low-impact. tis pain may find that swimming helps Because the water provides buoyancy relieve discomfort and improves range of while swimming, there is little risk of injury motion. It will take the stress off of joints, and minimal strain on the body. Water exerhelping a person to feel better while stretchcises, including swimming, work all the ing and moving gently in the water. muscle groups, so it can be a complete exerEven seniors who don’t know how to cise, says American Senior Communities. swim can still reap the benefits of water Swimming also is a great cardiovascular exercise. Walking in shallow water, or using exercise that can strengthen the heart muscle a kickboard to stay above the water can be and improve lung function and endurance. effective. Using foam dumbbells or even Because it lowers blood pressure and pushing and pulling one’s arms through the improves circulation, swimming is a great water can serve as a great resistance exercise way to get the heart pumping. that builds strength.

A gentle, 30-minute swim can burn up to Swimming and additional water activities 200 calories, which is more than walking. A faster swim can burn calories more quickly are great ways for seniors to stay in shape. than running or cycling. However, since As always, individuals should speak with water supports up to 90 percent of the body’s their doctors before beginning any exercise P regimen to ensure that it is safe. weight, this activity will put less stress on muscles and joints while one is exercising.

— Metro Creative Connection

C M SQ page 27 Y K What is Medicaid medical assistance?

Medicaid is a joint federal and state funded program, run by the state and local counties, providing medical insurance, home-care services (assisting with all activities of daily living) and nursing home medical assistance to the poor, elderly or disabled.

However, individuals requiring home-care services or nursing home medical assistance, in addition to fi nancial requirements, also will need to have a medical need for these services.

Who can apply for Medicaid?

Medicaid is for anyone who meets the income and resources restrictions.

What services does Medicaid provide?

• Doctors • Hospitals • Prescriptions • Nursing Homes (room & board) • Home-care Services, such as home attendants, home health aides and nurses

What is an MLTC?

MLTC stands for Managed Long-Term Care. One example: When an applicant has been approved for Medicaid home-care services, the applicant has to choose one MLTC from several approved Medicaid plans. Upon joining an MLTC a coordinator will be assigned and this coordinator will be the point person between the applicant/recipient and the MLTC.

Changes with Community Medicaid eligibility!

Due to Covid-19, once again the new rule regarding transfers of assets for Community Medicaid eligibility has been extended from January 2024 to April 2024; however, rumors indicate a new extension possibly to January 2025.

What does the new regulation mean to the applicant?

Once the new regulation is in place, applicants wishing to apply for community Medicaid and receive homecare services paid for by Medicaid will need to submit two and one-half years of bank statements. If there were any transfers during that period, other than spouse to spouse, the applicant will be disqualified for a period of time. Presently, applicants can transfer any amount of money one month and become financially eligible for Community Medicaid the following month. This window of opportunity is closing in fast. There is no time to procrastinate. The only way to avoid this issue is to apply before the new rule is enforced.

Elder Care Services, Inc., offers Free consultations.

Elder Care Services, Inc.

97-37 63rd Road, Suite 9H, Rego Park, NY 11374

For more information please contact Jack Lippmann at 718-575-5700

www.eldercareservicesny.com

2024 ESTATE TAX LAWS

By Donna Furey, Esq. As of January 1, 2024, you are entitled to a lifetime FEDERAL gift and estate tax credit of $13,610,000.00 per person and a NEW YORK exclusion amount will be $6,940,000.00 per person.

The estate tax credit can be used during your lifetime to offset gift tax liability or at your demise to offset any estate tax liability. Any portion of the “lifetime exclusion amount” used against gift taxes would reduce the federal credit available to be used against the estate tax at death. This is why it is always preferable to make maximum use of the annual exclusion from gift taxes which increased to $18,000.00 per person for 2024.

It is advisable to gift assets which have not greatly appreciated in value. When you make a gift of an asset, the recipient receives your cost basis in the asset. For example, stock purchased at $20 per share with a current market value of $100 per share could result in a signifi cant capital gains tax liability for the recipient if and when the recipient sells the stock. If the recipient acquires the stock upon the death of the owner, the recipient’s tax basis will be the fair market value of the asset as of the date of death because of the “step up in basis” provided for in the tax law.

While there is no New York Gift Tax, gifts made three years prior to a decedent’s death will be “clawed back” into their gross estate for New York State tax purposes. Unfortunately, the New York basic exemption completely disappears once you surpass it by 5%!

Page 11 27 SENIOR QUEENSLIVING CHRONICLE, GUIDE, Thursday, QUEENSMarch CHRONICLE 21, 2024 • Thursday, March 21, 2024

Understanding Medicaid: Frequently Asked Questions

A primary focus in planning estates for New York taxpayers is to endeavor to eliminate and/or at least reduce the impact of federal and state estate taxes.

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