It's possible that they may be eligible for Medicaid. If they have few assets you may want to gather together their financial information and their medical information and then call your local office. If they quality for help with medical bills they may not have such a hard time buying food and other necessities. Good luck, Carol
Are they both getting SS? Take a good look at how she is handling her money. We found that mom was buying too many groceries, hoarding them until they were bad. She was sending donations to charities and church when she really could not afford to. You may have to take over bill paying and put her on a budget.
Have they tried to see if they are eligible for Food Stamps or commodities? Are they paying for too much for additional insurance? Could they qualify for meals on wheels or go to a senior center where low cost lunches are served?
Do they own their own home? if so can they get some relief with their property taxes? If they are renting can they apply for senior housing where the rent may be on a sliding scale plus help with utilities etc. can they get HEAP where they live to help with heating bills. Are they going to food banks. Do they own a car? Would it be cheaper to sell it and use a bus if available or pay a neighbor to give them rides or do they qualify for medical transportation. Do they have too expensive TV, cell phone landline etc. Look at prepaid cell service as their only phone or something like consumer cellular. the medical bills are very difficult to keep in check but they should question every test the Dr suggests if not covered by Medicare. Also try and get all really necessary medications changed to generics and use drugs available on the list of somewhere like Walmart or Target or others in their area. Most of the older drugs are usually as good as the new ones. have a chat with the pharmacist and ask for suggestions. the pharmacists are usually very helpful and seem to have more time than Drs. Depending on dad's state of health spending time at a senior center and other places like the public library helps save on utilities. Cutting back on heat and Air conditioning can save a lot of money. Identify the room they spend most time in and make that as energy efficient as possible. use heavy drapes over windows and seal all the cracks round windows and doors. Even put heavy drapes over inside doors so the one room is comfortable. If the climate is cold wear layers of warm clothes even sleep in a sweat suit, thats very cozy. Have dad use a urinal or comode in the warm room rather than having to use the cold bathroom. Warm the bathroom with an electic heater just before shower time. Cut back on use of the dryer by hanging clothes out side or on racks over the bath. Start by sending Mom down to Social security and they will tell her what she might be able to apply for. Often catholic charities will also help or the AreaOffice on Aging will also have suggestions. Make some phone calls if dad can't be left or you can get on the computer and see what you can find out if your parents don't have internet. Be prepared for a struggle because it takes a lot of work to get things figured out.
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Good luck,
Carol
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If they are renting can they apply for senior housing where the rent may be on a sliding scale plus help with utilities etc. can they get HEAP where they live to help with heating bills. Are they going to food banks. Do they own a car? Would it be cheaper to sell it and use a bus if available or pay a neighbor to give them rides or do they qualify for medical transportation. Do they have too expensive TV, cell phone landline etc. Look at prepaid cell service as their only phone or something like consumer cellular. the medical bills are very difficult to keep in check but they should question every test the Dr suggests if not covered by Medicare. Also try and get all really necessary medications changed to generics and use drugs available on the list of somewhere like Walmart or Target or others in their area. Most of the older drugs are usually as good as the new ones. have a chat with the pharmacist and ask for suggestions. the pharmacists are usually very helpful and seem to have more time than Drs. Depending on dad's state of health spending time at a senior center and other places like the public library helps save on utilities.
Cutting back on heat and Air conditioning can save a lot of money. Identify the room they spend most time in and make that as energy efficient as possible. use heavy drapes over windows and seal all the cracks round windows and doors. Even put heavy drapes over inside doors so the one room is comfortable. If the climate is cold wear layers of warm clothes even sleep in a sweat suit, thats very cozy. Have dad use a urinal or comode in the warm room rather than having to use the cold bathroom. Warm the bathroom with an electic heater just before shower time. Cut back on use of the dryer by hanging clothes out side or on racks over the bath. Start by sending Mom down to Social security and they will tell her what she might be able to apply for. Often catholic charities will also help or the AreaOffice on Aging will also have suggestions. Make some phone calls if dad can't be left or you can get on the computer and see what you can find out if your parents don't have internet. Be prepared for a struggle because it takes a lot of work to get things figured out.