Alzheimer's and Medicaid planning, without the legal fog.

Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and continence. ADL help is often central to long-term-care and Medicaid functional eligibility.

A progressive brain disease that affects memory, judgment, behavior, communication, and eventually daily care needs. Legal and Medicaid planning often becomes urgent while capacity still remains.

The ability to understand and make a specific decision at a specific time. A diagnosis does not automatically remove capacity, but dementia can make capacity harder to prove.

A Medicaid rule that may allow transfer of a home to an adult child who lived with and cared for the applicant for at least two years before institutionalization, without a transfer penalty.

The spouse who remains living at home or in the community when the other spouse needs Medicaid long-term-care benefits.

The protected amount of countable assets the community spouse may keep. In 2026, the federal maximum is $162,660, though state handling and calculations must be verified.

Assets Medicaid considers for eligibility, such as bank accounts, investments, and some cash-value policies. The home, one vehicle, and certain burial arrangements may be exempt depending on facts and state rules.

A document that lets an agent handle financial and legal matters and remains effective after incapacity. It should be signed while the person still has capacity.

The process by which a state seeks reimbursement after a Medicaid recipient dies. Some states recover only from probate assets, while others use broader definitions.

Assets Medicaid may not count for eligibility, such as one vehicle, personal belongings, certain prepaid burial items, and sometimes the primary home subject to equity and occupancy rules.

The care-need requirement for Medicaid long-term care. Dementia-related supervision, ADL help, medication management, wandering, and safety risks may be relevant.

A legal document naming someone to make medical decisions if the person cannot make or communicate those decisions. Also called healthcare power of attorney in some states.

Medicaid-funded services that may help someone receive care at home or in the community instead of a nursing facility. Availability, waitlists, and eligibility vary by state.

The Medicaid limit on exempt home equity. In 2026, the federal range is $752,000 to $1,130,000, depending on the state.

The period before a Medicaid application, usually 60 months, during which transfers for less than fair market value are reviewed and may create a penalty period.

A federal-state program for people with limited income and assets. It is the major public payer for long-term nursing-home care and some home or community-based care.

An irrevocable trust designed to move assets out of countable ownership after the lookback period. It requires attorney review because control, taxes, home sale, income access, and timing all matter.

A crisis-planning tool that may convert assets into an income stream under strict Medicaid rules. Requirements and usefulness vary by state and spouse situation.

Federal health insurance that covers hospital care, doctor visits, medications, hospice, and limited skilled rehab. It generally does not cover years of custodial memory care or nursing-home care.

A residential care setting designed for people with dementia who need supervision, structure, medication help, and safety support. Medicaid coverage depends heavily on state program rules.

A trust used in income-cap states when the applicant has too much monthly income for Medicaid. Income is routed through the trust and used according to Medicaid rules.

The income allowance intended to protect the community spouse. The 2026 lower-48 and DC minimum after the July update is $2,705 per month; Alaska is $3,381.25 and Hawaii is $3,111.25. The federal maximum is $4,066.50 after the January update.

The care-need standard many Medicaid long-term-care programs use. It often turns on ADL help, medical complexity, supervision, safety, and whether care can be provided safely outside a facility.

A state-specific monthly cost figure used to calculate how long a Medicaid penalty lasts after a disqualifying transfer.

A period when Medicaid will not pay for long-term care because assets were transferred for less than fair market value during the lookback period.

The small monthly amount a nursing-home Medicaid recipient may keep for personal expenses. The amount varies by state.

A prepaid arrangement that may be exempt for Medicaid if it meets state requirements. It is often reviewed as part of spend-down planning.

How long the family can pay care costs before benefits or other planning becomes necessary. It depends on income, savings, care cost, insurance, home costs, and spouse needs.

The Medicaid snapshot of a married couple's countable resources used to determine the community spouse allowance.

A trust the creator can change or revoke. It can help with management and probate avoidance, but it generally does not protect assets from Medicaid spend-down.

The process of reducing countable assets to Medicaid limits through permitted expenses, such as debts, repairs, care costs, exempt assets, or prepaid funeral arrangements.

Federal rules intended to protect the spouse at home from losing all resources and income when the other spouse needs Medicaid long-term care.

A strategy available in some states where the community spouse refuses to make assets available for care. It is state-specific and should not be attempted without local counsel.

A dementia pattern where confusion, agitation, or restlessness worsens later in the day. It can affect safety planning, supervision needs, and care-setting decisions.

A dementia-related safety concern where a person may leave home or a facility unsafely. It can affect care setting, supervision, and functional eligibility facts.