As people grow older, their sources of income tend to diminish. As a result, you may be concerned about your elderly parent’s financial outlook, whether that involves buying groceries, paying for health care, or picking up prescription drugs. As a trusted provider of home health care services in Rochester, NY, Lifetime Care offers the following advice.

Food Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides funding for low-income individuals so they can buy the food they need to live. To be considered eligible for SNAP benefits, certain income requirements must be met. In general, this includes people with little or no income, those currently on public assistance, and elderly or disabled individuals. If deemed eligible, the number of benefits received will be dependent on current income and how many people are currently living in the home.

Health Care Help

Both Medicare and Medicaid are programs designed to help people with insufficient income secure medical coverage. Medicare is open to people 65 or older and provides funding for hospitalizations, surgeries, and visits to the doctor. Medicaid is available to people of all ages, provided they meet the specified income requirements. It can also help cover nursing home health care costs, which aren’t always covered by Medicare. However, there are supplemental Medicare plans that can help cover gaps and even offer funding for prescription drug costs.

Income Assistance

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) aids people 65 and older and those with disabilities by providing additional income. To be considered eligible, monthly income must be under $750 per person and under $1,125 for married couples. For these purposes, income includes employment earnings, pensions, and Social Security benefits. Additionally, an individual’s assets can’t exceed $2,000 while a couple’s assets can’t exceed $3,000 or they won’t be considered eligible.

Along with having access to the right financial assistance, seniors also need the right kind of home health care. This is exactly what Lifetime Care provides residents of the Finger Lakes region. Home aides are equipped to offer many different services, from help with everyday chores to administering medication. This company also has palliative care for individuals suffering from chronic or life-threatening illnesses. If you'd like more information on home care options, call (585) 214-1000 to reach their Rochester location, (800) 598-4995 for Lakeville, or (315) 331-7990 for Newark, NY. You can also visit the website to see the full listing of home health care services.