21

THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 1, 2022 Page 21 Say nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Hire an In-Home Helper for an Aging Parent Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to hire an inhome helper for my 82-yearold mother to assist with household chores like housekeeping, grocery shopping and driving her to the doctor, etc. But mom doesn’t require any personal/physical caregiving, nor does she require any home medical care. Any tips to help us fi nd someone? Searching Sarah Dear Sarah, Getting your mother some help at home to handle some of her day-to-day chores is a smart idea that can make a big difference keeping her independent longer. Here’s are some tips to help you fi nd someone reliable. In-Home Help For seniors who could use some help at home – but don’t need a caregiving aide for personal care – there are homemakers/home helpers you can hire that can help make life a little easier. Most in-home helpers can assist with any number of things like shopping, running errands, transportation, light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, arranging services (home maintenance, lawn care, etc.) and other household chores, along with providing companionship and support. And, if your mom gets to the point she needs personal/physical care like bathing or dressing, many home helpers can assist with this too. Most home helpers are part time workers who work a few hours a day or a few days per week. You also need to know that while Medicare does cover home health care services if a doctor orders it, they do not cover in-home homemaker/ helper services. There are two ways in which you can go about hiring someone for your mom; either through a home care agency, or you can hire someone directly on your own. Home Care Agency Hiring a home helper through a non-medical home care, or non-medical companion care agency is the easiest, but most expensive option of the two. Costs typically run anywhere from $15 to $25 an hour depending on where you live. How it works is you pay the company, and they handle everything including assigning appropriately trained and pre-screened staff to care for your mother and finding a fi ll-in on days her helper cannot come. Some of the drawbacks, however, are that you may not have much input into the selection of the aide, and the helpers may change or alternate, which can cause a disruption. To fi nd a home care agency in your area, use search engines like Google or Yahoo and type in “non-medical home care” followed by the city and state your mom lives in. Or you can use Medicare’s home health services search tool at Medicare. gov/care-compare – click on “home health services.” Most home health agencies offer some form of non-medical home care services too. You can also check your local yellow pages under “home health services.” Hiring Directly Hiring a personal assistant/home helper on your own is the other option, and it’s less expensive. Costs typically range between $12 and $20 per hour. Hiring directly also gives you more control over who you hire so you can choose someone who you feel is right for your mom. But be aware that if you do hire someone on your own, you become the employer so there’s no agency support to fall back on if a problem occurs or if the assistant doesn’t show up. You’re also responsible for paying payroll taxes and any worker-related injuries that may happen. If you choose this option, make sure you check the person’s references thoroughly and do a criminal background check. To fi nd someone, ask for referrals through friends or you can search online at sites like Care.com or CareLinx.com. For more information on hiring in-home help for your mom, the Family Caregiver Alliance off ers a helpful guide that you can access at Caregiver.org/resource/hiringhome-help. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior Masshealth Estate Recovery Hardship Waivers M assHealth has the right to seek recovery for MassHealth benefi ts paid against the estate of the MassHealth recipient. Even if someone never entered a nursing home that was paid for by MassHealth, recovery can be sought against the estate of a MassHealth recipient living in the community for benefits received after reaching the age of 55. There are three hardship waivers that can be applied for by completing the appropriate MassHealth waiver request form. The waiver form must be submitted to the Estate Recovery Unit no later than 60 days after the MassHealth Notice of Claim is fi led in the Probate Court. They are as follows: • Residence and Financial Hardship Waiver • Care Provided Waiver • Income-based waiver Residence and Financial Hardship Waiver: The heir lived in the property on a continuous basis for at least 2 years prior to the member’s admission to an institution or death and continues to live in the property when MassHealth fi les its notice of claim; The heir inherited an interest in the property from the deceased member’s estate; The heir is not being forced to sell the property by other devisees or heirs; and At the time MassHealth first presented its claim, the annual gross income of the heir’s family group was less than or equal to 133% of the applicable federal poverty level income standard. Care provided Hardship Waiver: The heir resided in the home continuously for 2 years prior to the member’s admission to an institution or before the member’s death; During that time, the member needed, and the heir provided, a level of care that avoided the sees or heirs; Income-Based Hardship Waiver: MassHealth will grant either a member’s admission to a facility; The heir continues to live in the home at the time the notice of claim is fi led; The heir inherited an interest in the property from the deceased member’s estate; The sale of the property is required to satisfy the claim; The heir is not being forced to sell the property by other devipartial or full waiver of estate recovery based upon the income of the heir who inherited an interest in the member’s estate. The amount of the waiver will be limited to $50,000 if the heir’s family group had a gross income below 400% of the applicable federal poverty level for 2 years prior to the date of the notice of claim being fi led; The amount of the waiver will be 100% if the heir’s family group had a gross income below 133% of the applicable federal poverty level for 2 years prior to the date of the notice of claim being fi led. It is important to be informed of these hardship waivers. It is also imported to avoid probate if at all possible as estate recovery can only be brought against the “probate” estate and not against property held in Trust. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, registered investment advisor, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. - LEGAL NOTICE - LEASE OF ROOFTOP SPACE FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES Everett Housing Authority is soliciting sealed bids for the lease and use of rooftop and penthouse level space on Glendale Towers, 381 Ferry Street in Everett, Ma. This space is available for the installation and operation of radio communications facilities. The lease and use of these spaces will be on a non-exclusive basis. Bids will be received at Everett Housing Authority, 393 Ferry Street, Everett, Ma 02149 ATT: Stephen Kergo and received no later than 2:00 p.m., on August 4, 2022, at such time, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Invitations for Bids are available by contacting skergo.eha@comcast.net or maybe picked up at the Authority’s office, 393 Ferry Street, Everett, MA. July 1, 2022 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Step inside this 3-4 bedroom Colonial and enjoy all the space this house has to offer: living room, formal dining room, huge eat-in kitchen with newer countertops and bright dining area, 3 bedrooms, 2nd floor office with built-ins (could be 4th bedroom), 1.5 baths, walk up attic with additional living space and storage area, stylish, wrap around farmer’s porch, double staircase, first floor has tall ceiling height and new flooring, fenced in backyard with inground pool and storage shed, additional side yard, perfect for garden or green space. Updates include gas heat, roof, hot water heater, energy efficient solar panels. Side street location, very convenient to public transportation and Route One. Offered at $599,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com

22 Publizr Home