Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, November 4, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 4, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
WHEN WILL MEDICAID PAY FOR NURSING 


HOME CARE? 

Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid 
coverage for nursing home care? 


Caregiving Daughter 


Dear Caregiving,
The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibilityfor nursing home care are complicated and will varyaccording to the state where your parent lives. With thatsaid, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takesto qualify. 

Medicaid EligibilityMedicaid, the joint federal and state program that covershealth care for the poor, is also the largest single payer ofAmerica’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t havethe resources to pay for their own care.

Most people who enter nursing homes don’t qualifyfor Medicaid at first, but pay for care either through longterm 
care insurance or out-of-pocket until they depletetheir savings and become eligible for Medicaid.

To qualify for Medicaid, your parent’s income and assetswill need to be under a certain level that’s determined bytheir state. Most states require that a person have no morethan about $2,000 in countable assets that includes cash, 
savings, investments or other financial resources that canbe turned into cash. 

Assets that aren’t counted for eligibility include theirhome if it’s valued under $560,000 (this limit is higher – upto $840,000 – in some states), their personal possessionsand household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plansand a small amount of life insurance. 

But be aware that while your parent’s home isnot considered a countable asset to determine their 
eligibility, if he or she can’t return home, Medicaid cango after the proceeds of their house to help reimbursetheir nursing home costs, unless a spouse or otherdependent relative lives there. (There are some otherexceptions to this rule.)

After qualifying, all sources of your parent’s incomesuch as Social Security and pension checks must beturned over to Medicaid to pay for their care, except fora small personal needs allowance – usually between $30and $90. 

You also need to be aware that your parent can’t giveaway their assets to qualify for Medicaid faster. Medicaidofficials will look at their financial records going back fiveyears to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they find 


one, their Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certainlength of time, according to a formula that divides thetransfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursinghome care in their state. 

So if, for example, your parent lives in a state where theaverage monthly nursing home cost is $5,000 and theygave away cash or other assets worth $50,000, they wouldbe ineligible for benefits for 10 months ($50,000 dividedby $5,000 = 10). 

Spousal Protection
Medicaid also has special rules 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 $120,900 (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 $2,030 and $3,022. 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 hospital stay. 


Find Help
For more detailed information, contact your state
Medicaid office (see Medicaid.gov for contact 
information). You can also get help from your State
Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShiptaCenter.
org), which provides free counseling on all Medicare and
Medicaid issues. 


Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller isa contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “TheSavvy Senior” book. 


Well, I’m sorry to say I’m 

recycling an old story again. 

But like I always say, I barely 

remember it, which you for sure 

that you won’t! 

 Last week I was so excited to 
get together with my friend and former carpool 
buddy, Annett (not her real name). Not only is 
she a great friend, but she’s an interesting person. 
Annett’s into Ti Chi, cooking, swimming, art, 
and gardening. For Annett, gardening isn’t just 
watering petunias or deadheading roses. She’s out 
there lugging around big rocks in her bare feet. 
Her suggestion to go hiking was a nice alternative 
to the typical lunch or coffee most friends do when 
they get together. 

Hiking along the paths in the Monrovia Canyon 
park, Annett started talking about the new health 
recipes she’s tried. There was one that called for a 
pound of garlic, a pound of ginger, and other things 
I don’t recall. Completed, it has the consistency of 
applesauce. You take a spoonful or two, as your 
ability allows, every day to prevent disease. Then 
she took a short class in 

VINTAGE ENZYMES 


“There’s my fruit enzyme,” she said, pointing 
under the dining table. “You can see it bubbling!”

I squatted near the massive glass jar. Multiple 
layers of plastic wrap covered the opening and 
were fastened tight with rubber bands. The liquid 
was a deep blood red, with what looked like onions 
and potatoes bobbing around. But Annett assured 
me it was all fruit. At the top there were little trails 
of bubbles coming up to the surface. “Yup,” I said, 
“It’s sure percolating!”

“Here,” she said, opening her fridge again and 
bringing out a glass bottle similar to those used 
for taco chili and oyster sauce. “My friend made 
this one a few months ago.” Annett got out a 
tumbler and started pouring me a hefty portion. 
I waved for her to stop, so she poured some of it 
into another glass for herself and held it up to me. 
“Cheers!” 

I must admit it was pretty good, and that’s not 
just because it helped get rid of the garlic-ginger 
taste in my mouth. “What do you think?” she 
asked, “Too sweet, huh?” 

“No, it’s good,” I said, taking another sip. It had 

bits of citrus pulp floating 

making fruit enzyme. Fruit 

around, and reminded me 
what? My last encounter 

of a dessert wine, like a late 
with enzymes was in 

harvest chardonnay. “My 
Biology at PCC.

mom would like it.” 
Annett explained that 


 I recalled a raspberry 
to make fruit enzyme, 

“wine” my mom really liked 
you get a starter (like for 

one of the few times she’s 
sourdough bread), pounds 

gone wine tasting with me 
of different fruits, put it all 

(she goes more often now, 
in a large sealed container, 

I’ve been working on her!). 
and let it age (ferment) at 

People talk about some 
room temperature for about 

wines as having “legs” that 
a month. Then you take 

run down the sides of the 
about a cup every night to 

glass. This didn’t run down 
help you sleep better. 

the sides, it coated them! The 
When we finished out 

wine shop owner explained 
hike we returned to her 

that it was actually brandy 
house and were cooling 

that had a lot of raspberry 
off in her kitchen. “Have 

and other sweeteners 
some of this,” she said 

added to it. We asked what 
unscrewing the top off a jar 

vineyard produced it. He 
from her fridge. “This is the 

laughed, and told us there’s 
one I told you about.” She 

no vineyard. It’s from a 
had told me about many 

guy in Irwindale who has 
different recipes, so I wasn’t 

a European style copper 
sure which one this was. 

pot still. So, it’s essentially 
“Is this a good amount for 

raspberry moonshine!
you?” Annett held out a 

 “Mine will be ready July 
heaping spoonful. “Sure,” I 

third,” Annett said. “Well, 
said, taking it all at once.

we’ll have to try it then!” I 
Wow! Equally strong, 

said. “We could make labels 
the garlic and ginger were 

with your name on it.” I 
battling each other to be the 

doubt we’ll go that far, but 
dominant flavor. I might I do look forward to trying 
not make it myself, but I’ll try anything once, and Annett’s flagship vintage enzyme! (Now, several 
I felt as if that spoonful was enough prevention to years after I first wrote this, I can tell you it was 
last me a while. great. Powerful, but great!) 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….November Birthdays 

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, Joe Pergola, 
Janice Kacer, Valerie Howard, “Mike” Ruggles, Joan Ruggles, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, 
Shirley Yergeau, Kathi Jefferson, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg 
and Sue Quinn. * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required but you must be over 60. 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 
Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each!
Everyone is welcome to join. May be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 
Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday July 20th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for
Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is
welcome, no experience needed. Great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends. Activities
are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 


Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 16th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson
is available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury.
Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 
Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at
11:30a.m. 


Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. 3rd Mondays of each
month, a variety of balance exercises are practiced.All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! 
*A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

Case Management: Case Management Services are provided by the YWCA and offer assistance in
a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park House
Office at 626-355-7394. 


Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some free
birthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 


Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance and training conditioning. All class materials are
provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

OCTOBER EXCURSION 

(Huntington Beach) 
Date: Thursday, October 19th, 2017Time: 9:30a.m. – 3:00p.m.
Cost: $18.00 (Including Lunch)
The Old World Oktoberfest Celebration includes live bands playing the mostpopular German Oom Pa Pah Music. The crowd is entertained with a varietyof dancing, singing, music and Heidi, the Contortionist Act. Oktoberfest Menu

includes potato salad, coleslaw, bratwurst, baked chicken, Spaetzle, sauerkraut, apple streusel cake, coffeeand water. Alcohol is available for purchase. Participants should bring money for shopping at the marketdeli and bakery.
Level of Walking: Low.
Call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394 

Watercolor Painting with Kt BoyceMonday, October 30, 2017, 12:30p.m. - 1:30p.m. at Hart Park HouseLearn basic watercolor painting and get in the mood for Fall. We will be painting on card stock withwater color paint. Color pencils will be used to enhance and for those who do not wish to paint canenjoy drawing. Come learn and share memories about pumpkins, growing history, and carving.
Instructor Kt will teach beginners to even the most advanced painter. All art materials and supplieswill be provided, however spaces are limited. Reservation are required to save your spot!
...Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394... 

SENIOR CINEMA -LUNCH AND LEARN - Transit 101 Class 
October 18th at 1:00p.m.

Wednesday, September 27th 12:15p.m. – 1:00p.m.
at the Hart Park House If you haven’t used pub-

An American in Paris (1951)

lic transportation before or it’s been a long time

 A 1961 American Musical film inspired by the

since you tried and you don’t know where to start,

1928 orchestral compostion by George Gershwin.

THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU! No need to stress 

Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) is an American Ex-GI

over mobility or other limitations - Feel confident

who stays in post-war Paris to become a painter,

enough to go out on your own! Come join us for

and falls for the gamine charms of Lise Bouvier

this FREE Transit Training Class

(Leslie Caron). However, his paintings come to the

-Please call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394. 

attention of Milo Robert, a rich American heiress, 

make a reservation-

who is interested in more than just art. Run time:
1h 55m. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com