for release February 8, 2002
The Sandwich Generation . . . Helping Your Aging Parents
by Carol Abaya, M.A.
Are you juggling doing errands for your aging parents, your children, yourself and working at the same time? Are you tired, stressed out and upset that your once vibrant parent is now frail and needy?
Do you feel alone? Rest assured you are not alone! The Sandwich Generation is dedicated to the 50 million Americans who may have elder/parent care concerns and/or responsibilities.
YOUR PARENT CAN BE YOUR IRS DEPENDENT
Question: My father recently died and with his death went his pension benefits. This leaves my mother, 81, with little income. We've been helping her, but it's a burden. Is there any help for us?
Answer: Yes! Even if she's living in her own house or apartment, if you (and perhaps siblings) pay for at least 50% of her expenses, she can be declared your dependent for IRS purposes.
To prove you do pay expenses, pay her bills directly (rather than give her money) and keep careful records. If she moves in with you, you can claim her as a dependent if her income is low. In this scenario, you can attribute part of your household expenses (from mortgage payments to real estate taxes to utilities) as well as food, clothing and transportation to your mother.
You may not be able to claim her for your 2001 taxes. But you should keep a detailed record for 2002.
Other help:
· Municipalities have low income senior discounts on real estate taxes. Utilities have special discounts. Food stamps and Meals on Wheels help ensure proper nutrition.
· Some companies allow employees to put pre-tax money into a special fund and to use this money for either child or elder care. There are certain criteria for elder care that need to be looked at.
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Question: I will be 65 in June. Already people are scaring me about medical benefits and Medicare. A local HMO has been sponsoring seminars and urging us to join. Should I?
Answer: HMOs come and go. This year more than 500,000 Americans over 65 will lose their medical insurance coverage under HMOs. Many HMOs are discontinuing senior coverage.
>From my experience with both my parents, I found the traditional Medicare program to be best. It allows you to choose all your own doctors and does not require a referral to a specialist. Your doctor(s) prescribe treatment - not some non-medical criteria. It costs you $50 a month. If you already receive social security, you will automatically be sent information and a Medicare card.
If you don't get social security, call the hotline number 1-800-772-1213 or Medicare 1-800-633-4227, to get information.
Be sure to look at Medigap insurance, which pays for the Medicare deductibles.
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Question: My parents, early 70s, want to join a Medicare HMO because they would only have to pay a few dollars for doctors' visit and medicines. Should they?
Answer: Because so many HMOs are ceasing to service seniors, my own personal preference is the traditional Medicare program. To reduce the overall cost of medical care, look into the Medigap insurance plans. There are 10 standardized plans to choose from which vary in cost. There are also some minor differences as to the amount they pay for each category.
Visit our web site www.sandwichgeneration.com, go into What You Can Buy, for QA110. This article can help you.
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Do you have a question? Send it in. Although letters cannot be answered individually, appropriate letters will be answered in this column whenever possible. Letters may be edited. Send letters to Ms. Carol Abaya, c/o Name\Address of YOUR newspaper (or mail direct to her at PO Box 132,Wickatunk, NJ 07765-0132) or e-mail her at SandwchGen@aol.com. Carol also has a web site: thesandwichgeneration.com.
Carol Abaya is an international-award-winning journalist and creator of the unique magazine The Sandwich Generation: You & Your Aging Parents.
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©2002 by Globe Syndicate, all rights reserved.