In our last episode of Taking Care of Tutu, we learned what tutu is allowed to own and still qualify for Medicaid in Hawaii. But what if tutu has more than that? What if she has a house, or more than $2000? Does she have any options?

On this episode of "Taking Care of Tutu," we’ll discuss tutu’s options to qualify for Medicaid while still preserving her hard-earned savings. From investing in a prepaid funeral plan to making crucial home improvements and even acquiring a new vehicle, we will explore practical methods to convert assets that Medicaid counts into assets that Medicaid exempts. These strategies will help tutu meet Medicaid's stringent requirements while also offering tangible benefits to her family.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Strategies to convert countable assets into exempt ones for Medicaid eligibility
• Examples of spending down assets, such as prepaid funeral plans, home improvements, specialized vehicles
• Understanding the Medicaid exemption that allows someone to give a house to their adult child
• Rules and penalties for transferring properties to children, siblings, or children with disabilities
• Exploring Medicaid's five-year look-back period and its impact on asset gifting

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

If you’ve ever tried to google how to qualify for Medicaid, you know it’s SO confusing. Even though Medicaid is a federal program, it’s a little bit different in every state. It’s so common for our clients to leave their Medicaid google search more confused than when they began it!

Can tutu own a home? A car? A bank account? A pension? What happens if she gives it away?

In this episode, we’ll go through the Hawaii rules covering what you are allowed to own to qualify for Medicaid.

Haven’t heard of Medicaid? It’s the program that pays for an incapacitated senior’s stay at a nursing home, such as Hale Makua or Kula San, or adult foster care. It’s different than the medical insurance program, Medicare (confusing, right?). Medicare might pay for a short stay at a nursing home, if you are rehabbing from surgery for example, but it won’t pay for a long term stay.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Hawaii-specific Medicaid regulations
• Eligibility criteria
• What does Medicaid actually cover in Hawaii?
• What does not count toward tutu’s Medicaid eligibility?
• What if tutu is married? Can she get medicaid?

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Last week we learned about decluttering tutu’s home and organizing to establish safer living spaces. But what if the home needs modifications?

Brandon Jarnesky of United Construction Group is on the podcast this week to teach us some of the most common modifications he sees homeowners make in order to ensure the home is safe and accessible for seniors. We’re talking about widening doorways on older homes, adding bathroom features to enhance safety, and eliminating or accommodating uneven surfaces and steps. Brandon shares his passion for helping our community as a builder and an employer helping local families stay in Hawaii.

This episode is packed with tips about ADA-compliant construction and effective home modifications for our kupuna and their families.

Resources from this Episode

United Construction Group: ucghawaii.com

808-450-6588

Instagram: @unitedconstruction_group

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Interested in a more peaceful and organized life? Belia Paul of A Honu Space is on the podcast to share practical tips on making homes safer and more accessible, easing future burdens on family members, and understanding the deep emotional ties to cherished belongings. Learn how proactive estate and living space management can be a priceless gift to your children, encouraging meaningful conversations and the passing down of family histories.

Belia shares her extensive expertise in organizing and decluttering, focusing on safety and convenience for seniors. We'll discuss the vital role of compassionate, non-family members in helping seniors make thoughtful decisions about their possessions. Gain insights into common safety concerns like unstable furniture and clutter, as well as innovative solutions, such as elder concierge services and automated pill dispensing systems that can significantly enhance the quality of life for seniors.

Of course, downsizing and transitioning to smaller living spaces is also an emotional journey. Learn about the benefits of organizing not just for seniors, but for their children too, as we highlight the importance of preserving family histories and ensuring that seniors maintain their independence without feeling like a burden. This episode is packed with advice and practical solutions to help you and your loved ones navigate the challenges of aging gracefully.

Resources from this Episode

A Honu Space: https://ahonuspace.com/

Instagram: @ahonuspace

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Get ahead of the curve in planning for a successful aging journey with insights from Jackie Boland, Community Outreach Director and 29-year employee of AARP Hawaii. Learn about the upcoming Maui Aging in Place Workshops on August 24th, featuring sessions on estate planning, housing options, home modifications, and more. Jackie emphasizes the critical importance of early planning and connecting with local resources, ensuring that listeners can navigate the future with confidence and peace of mind.

Discover the pivotal role AARP plays in advocating for the well-being of older adults. With a projected 20% budget shortfall in Social Security by 2035, AARP's educational initiatives and lobbying efforts are crucial. Jackie sheds light on AARP’s unwavering commitment to supporting caregivers in Hawaii, highlighting partnerships with organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, and sharing the invaluable resources available to those caring for dementia and Alzheimer's patients.

From fragmented care systems to the shortage of care workers on neighbor islands, we discuss solutions and support systems that can make a world of difference. Learn about caregiver communication strategies, leveraging technology, and the significance of caregiver support groups. This episode is packed with valuable information and resources to empower caregivers and their loved ones, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in caregiving. Join us as we connect, support, and uplift the caregiving community, and join us this Saturday at AARP’s Aging in Place workshops!

In this episode, you will hear:

• The importance of early planning for aging and connecting with local resources.
• Overview of the upcoming Maui Aging in Place Workshops on August 24th, covering estate planning, housing options, home modifications, and more.
• Insights into the future of Social Security, including the projected 20% budget shortfall by 2035 and AARP’s advocacy and education efforts.
• AARP’s partnerships with organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association to support caregivers of dementia and Alzheimer's patients.
• Strategies for caregiver communication, leveraging technology, and the importance of support groups.

Resources from this Episode:

Information

aarp.org/caregiving

jboland@aarp.org

Events

aarp.org/local

aarp.org

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

We’ve learned about probate in Episode 002, and we know we’d like to avoid it. We’re imagining a world in which loved ones receive our assets in a simple, stress-free way, with no legal complications. Join us today as we simplify estate planning, focusing on when it is and is not appropriate to name beneficiaries on financial accounts. We consider the often-overlooked challenges and best practices for managing minor beneficiaries. We highlight the time-consuming, expensive journey of appointing a conservator when minors are named as direct beneficiaries and stress the importance of using trusts to minimize potential legal hurdles. We also share practical strategies for avoiding probate in Hawaii, such as using beneficiary forms judiciously and creating trusts.

We’ll walk you through the best practices for designating beneficiaries for financial accounts and properties and consider why trusts are preferable over naming minor children as direct beneficiaries. You'll learn about the differences between per stirpes and per capita designations, the necessity of multiple beneficiaries, and the benefits of transfer on death deeds for simpler estates. We also delve into the mechanisms and advantages of revocable living trusts, which streamline asset management without the need for probate.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to avoid probate in Hawaii
• The benefits of using trusts over direct beneficiaries
• The importance of naming contingent beneficiaries
• Practical tips on using beneficiary forms
• Differences between per stirpes and per capita designations
• The creation of a revocable living trust for seamless asset management
• A sneak peek into the complexities of Medicaid rules

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet! Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts by selecting “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Perhaps you have heard the term “Probate” and wonder, “What is involved in the process?” Or maybe a loved one has passed away and you are responsible for probating his or her estate? In this episode, we describe what is required to settle an estate through probate in Hawaii. We break down why many people aim to avoid probate, a process that can be time-consuming, frustrating, and needlessly expensive.

We’ll walk you through the essential steps–from obtaining a death certificate to filing initial court paperwork – so you'll gain a deeper understanding of Hawaii's probate system and can make an informed decision about your own estate planning.

Don’t like the sound of probate? Our next segment will focus on strategies to avoid probate altogether. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to navigate the legal mechanics of caring for your ohana with clarity and confidence. Don’t miss this essential guide to understanding probate and estate planning in Hawaii.

In this episode, you will hear:

• What is Hawaii's probate process?
• What are the pros and cons of probate?
• How can Personal Representatives (i.e. Executors) maintain the trust of beneficiaries and avoid misunderstandings?
• How can people bypass probate entirely, ensuring a smoother process for families?

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Have you been caring for your elderly parents or grandparents? Are you paying their bills, taking them to the doctor, managing their prescriptions? In this pilot episode of Taking Care of Tutu, we introduce you to the indispensable power of attorney – a crucial legal document. We'll explain why you need a general durable power of attorney and the alarming consequences of neglecting this essential step, including the exhausting and unnecessary court processes of conservatorships and guardianships.

We also highlight a critical yet often overlooked aspect: the necessity for individuals over 18, including college-bound children, to have a power of attorney and an advance health-care directive. Putting off these important decisions can lead to more complex and stressful legal issues down the road.

Join us as we break down these vital legal safeguards and offer actionable insights to help you care for your loved ones.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why you need a power of attorney
• How to choose trusted financial decision-makers
• What is a Disability Panel?

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Just select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.