Hartford CT Elder Law Blog

A former Connecticut state representative, now 95 years old, hasn't been in a hospital since the 1970s, and she has saved quite a bit of money by staying healthy. Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 85 spend, on average, 30 percent of their household income on out-of-pocket medical expenses.

It is difficult to bank on good health while planning for long-term care needs, but exercising can preserve hard-earned assets by avoiding medical costs. The former legislator says daily exercise and a healthy diet have kept her fit-thereby saving money. In-home care may be less expensive than a hospital stay, but nothing is cheaper than remaining healthy.

A Connecticut man is fighting to save his parents' home from auction after he missed notices of their delinquent taxes because he was hospitalized from a debilitating stroke.The man's parents passed away before his stroke, but due to a series of extenuating circumstances, their wills never went through probate. This step still needs to occur, in order for the man to be recognized as their legal heir.

The family may have been able to avoid the current tax problems with the property with proper trust and estate planning. Most want to avoid probate because it can be slow and complicated. Because the man has no remaining family, the will is not likely to be contested.

The town council of Newington, Connecticut, is considering a measure to expand veterans' tax breaks. The money was originally intended for senior citizens and veterans to receive a tax break, but since then all $100,000 has been designated for veterans as a way to make their veterans' benefits go further. The plan came as part of the town's budget and projected tax rate evaluation process.

The council initially wanted to include the tax break for veterans of all income levels but found state law prevented such a plan. The state representative for Newington said she is working to pass a law that would allow an increase in veterans' benefits but that isn't likely to occur until next year.

Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut has suggested the state cut healthcare costs by allowing unlicensed home health aides to give patients in the Medicaid system their medication instead of requiring the task be performed by nurses. This change would allow more patients to remain in their home by receiving in-home health care rather than expensive nursing homes or hospitals.

The governor says this could save the state $28 million because of patients covered by Medicaid. If the state is able to save money this way, so can private individuals currently under care or planning for medical expenses later in life. "The cost of medication administration is a significant barrier to getting people out of nursing homes and keeping people out of nursing homes," an employee of the government said.