Carnival 🎡
Skyline high school had their fall family carnival so we took a ride to see what that was about. They had a petting zoo, bounce houses outside and booths and games inside. We stayed for a couple hours till the sun went down and it started getting cold, although the snow cones we ate probably didn’t help. Mom called the alpacas lamas a few times, making the farmer frustrated.
I’ve been thinking about the elder lawyer…. 🤦♀️ I am more confused than ever leaving his office. Thankfully I’m confident now that we have all her legal paperwork that we need. But the money situation is over my head. Apparently if she ever needs assisted living and help from Medicaid, (because Medicare doesn’t cover assisted-living) She has to have less than $2000 to her name before Medicaid kicks in. But we cannot spend down her money because they can investigate 5 years into the past and if any money is used above fair market costs, it’s considered a gift that would need repaid to Medicaid. So what is fair market cost for room and board for my area? And then will we get taxed on that? and do I claim that as income? My utilities have doubled since she has moved in, she likes her heater and the air conditioning going at the same time, and her phone is on our family plan, we pay her for groceries, entertainment and eating out out of our personal household account. It’s hard to keep finances straight under the same roof. Not to mention that my savings account will never be the same after construction of her mother in law suite. The whole hour conversation with the lawyer confused me more then helped. But he did mention there are private assisted living facilities that may negotiate rates and could work around “Medicaid bed” situation. Granted we are talking worse case scenario. I plan on having her live with us till the bitter end, which may be 20 years from now, taking into consideration her otherwise excellent health.
Adventures in Mitchell 