THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 9, 2024 Page 15 MPL’s 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group continues A re you over 50 and looking for a new job or career direction? The Malden Public Library (MPL) is continuing its collaboration with the 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group. Participants can join weekly meetings featuring topical presentations, interactive workshops, expert guest speakers, access to hiring managers, networking opportunities and coaching guidance. This program is completely free. Sessions will be held via Zoom on the fi rst and third Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. starting on August 7 and continuing through December 18. Participants can register for all the sessions or just a few. Chromebooks and study rooms are available for anyone interested in attending. Please contact Marita if you have questions – 781-324-0218 or mcoombs@maldenpubliclibrary.org. avy eniior avvy S iorn oro a y avvyavy 50 + Job Seekers Networking fl yer T he aging population in Massachusetts is increasing while at the same time the number of older adults with behavioral health problems is rising. Massachusetts is not alone – U.S. offi cials have described older Americans as facing a behavioral health crisis. As part of its ongoing eff orts to support emotional well-being during the aging journey, Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) was awarded a $150,000 grant from the state’s Behavioral Health Outreach for Aging Populations (BHOAP) program. “Behavioral health conditions skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those issues didn’t simply vanish when quarantine was lifted, especially for our community’s aging population, who are more likely to remain socially isolated,” observed MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone. “We’re proud to receive the BHOAP grant, which will help our team support those who are in critical need of care.” Central to the behavioral health crisis is the need for treatment. While an estimated one in four older Americans has a behavioral health condition not associated with normal aging, less than 33 percent of this population receives services to address their diagnosis. Within Massachusetts, BHOAP aims to address this problem. SWORN | FROM PAGE 1 missioner. City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio took the oath and then had Murphy sign the offi cial Oath Book. Murphy, a lifelong resident of Malden, served seven terms as Ward 5 Councillor. During her time as Ward Councillor, she served as City Council President on two occasions, chaired the Finance CommitMVES awarded grant to ease behavioral health crisis More than half of those enrolled in home care programs at MVES reported having a behavioral health diagnosis, and MVES has identifi ed an increase in diagnoses over the past decade. The BHOAP grant enables MVES to build on its existing outreach efforts and work to overcome barriers to care, including: • Coping with other chronic illnesses and physical frailty • Transportation limitations • Cost of care • Social isolation • Technological barriers • Cultural differences in approaches to behavioral care • Societal and/or generational stigma “Stigma is a major obstacle to any individual receiving treatment, but it can be a barrier that’s especially diffi cult for the aging population,” explained MVES Director of Clinical Services Lisa Felci Jimenez. “People dismiss these issues by saying, you’re just lonely or you just worry too much. Part of our team’s mission is to overcome these misconceptions and ensure people receive the care they need. Depression and anxiety are not an inevitable part of the aging process.” MVES has provided access to behavioral health services through its Complex Care team since 2005. The BHOAP grant emtee multiple times, and always took an active role in public safety matters. “I am pleased that Barbara will continue to serve her community and that she has accepted this opportunity to work side by side with our Police Chief Glenn Cronin in providing guidance and oversight of the Malden Police Department,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “Barbara’s strong management, operational skills, iori by Jim Miller Paying for Nursing Home Care with Medicaid Dear Savvy Senior, If my mother needs to move into a nursing home, what are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage? Caretaking Son Dear Caretaking, The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary according to the state your mother lives in. With that said, here’s a general, simplifi ed rundown of what it takes to qualify. Medicaid Eligibility Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t have the resources to pay for their own care. (Note that some states have diff erent names for their Medicaid program.) Most people who enter nursing homes don’t qualify for Medicpowers MVES to expand its Complex Care team and better serve the aging population in its service area, which includes Everett, Malden, Revere and eight other communities. The Complex Care team focuses on increasing access to home- and community-based counseling to address a wide range of issues, including hoarding, depression, anxiety, adjustment to loss, substance abuse and more. They develop a personalized plan for each individual, connecting them to the care they need and monitoring each case over time. By working closely with other departments at MVES, the team ensures the individual receives any other support they need, such as transportation assistance or social engagement. The Complex Care team also offers bilingual support and works to build awareness and partnership throughout the community. “Our team ensures health providers and community organizations are aware that MVES off ers a range of services to support aging and that behavioral health is a key part of our off erings,” explained MVES Complex Care Team Manager Jennifer Shacklewood. “We want to improve that 33 percent of older adults who are receiving the treatment they need. The best way to do that is together, as a community.” and knowledge of this community, municipal government and fi nance combined with her fair mindedness and even keeled approach really make her a great fi t for this role.” Murphy, the fi rst woman to be appointed Police Commissioner in the history of Malden, is fulfi lling the term left vacant by the recent passing of longtime Police Commissioner Salvatore “Butch” Gennetti. aid at fi rst but pay for care either through long-term care insurance or out-of-pocket until they deplete their savings and become eligible for Medicaid. To qualify for Medicaid, your mother’s income and assets will need to be under a certain level that’s determined by your state. Most states (except California) require that a single person have no more than about $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for a married couple) that includes cash, savings, investments or other fi nancial resources that can be turned into cash. Assets that aren’t counted for eligibility include your mother’s home if it’s valued under $713,000 (this limit is higher – up to $1,071,000 – in some states), her personal possessions and household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plans and a small amount of life insurance. But be aware that while her home is not considered a countable asset to determine eligibility, if she can’t return home, Medicaid can go after the proceeds of her house to help reimburse her nursing home costs, unless a spouse or other dependent relative lives there. (There are some other exceptions to this rule.) After qualifying, all sources of your mother’s income such as Social Security and pension checks must be turned over to Medicaid to pay for her care, except for a small personal needs allowance – usually between $30 and $160. You also need to be aware that your mother can’t give away her assets to qualify for Medicaid faster. Medicaid offi cials will look at their fi nancial records going back fi ve years (except in California which has a 30-month look-back rule) to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they fi nd one, her Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certain length of time, according to a formula that divides the transfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in their state. So, for example, if your mom lives in a state where the average monthly nursing home cost is $8,000 and she gave away cash or other assets worth $160,000, she would be ineligible for benefi ts for 20 months ($160,000 divided by $8,000 = 20). Spousal Protection Medicaid also has special rules (known as the community spouse resource allowance) for married couples when one spouse enters a nursing home, and the other spouse remains at home. In these cases, the healthy spouse can keep one half of the couple’s assets up to $154,140 (this amount varies by state), the family home, all the furniture and household goods and one automobile. The healthy spouse is also entitled to keep a portion of the couple’s monthly income – between $2,465 and $3,854. Any income above that goes toward the cost of the nursing home recipient’s care. What about Medicare? Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities, does not pay for long-term care. It only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must occur after a three-day hospital stay. For more information, contact your state Medicaid offi ce. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShipHelp.org), which provides free counseling on Medicare and Medicaid issues. 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.
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