Have you ever heard anyone say they want to be into a nursing home? Of course not! But many Michigan seniors have had no choice. Caring for an elderly loved one at home is often unrealistic because of the cost of home care.

But that is about to change.

The Center for Elder Law in Troy, Michigan, is excited to announce its Home Sweet Home Initiative. Our experienced elder law attorneys have helped thousands of Michigan families protect the savings of a lifetime from being spent on nursing homes. We will now be able to give seniors a better choice -- receive care at home!

How? We help families navigate the complex maze of Medicaid laws, which are designed to help seniors in their golden years, and certain other disabled adults, be able to afford the care they need. There are very strict laws and regulations governing what people can and cannot do to meet the financial requirements to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

Until now, many Michigan families had a very difficult choice to make: move their elderly loved one into a nursing home and obtain Medicaid benefits, or keep the person at home with no financial support.

People with Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, as well as a host of other medical conditions, need a great deal of care. Providing care at home, with no professional or financial assistance, is a nearly impossible task. It's also a tremendous financial and emotional responsibility on families and caregivers.

In fact, according to the American Alzheimer's Association, the value of unpaid caregiving provided in the State of Michigan in 2009 alone, for people with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, totaled more than 5.2 billion dollars. And one study showed that caregivers have a 63% higher death rate than non-caregivers!

Now the Michigan government is introducing a revised and improved program to give families a meaningful choice. To help Michigan residents take advantage of these benefits, we are reaching out with our Home Sweet Home Initiative.

What is the Home Sweet Home Initiative? It's a way for eligible Michigan families to qualify for Medicaid, receive the financial help they need, and ... here's the best part ... keep their elderly loved ones at home!

Michigan has recently allocated new funding for its MI Choice Waiver Program to encourage seniors and disabled adults to live in the community instead of a nursing home. They will allow eligible residents to receive Medicaid benefits to pay for care at home or in an assisted living facility without ever having lived in a nursing home.

Or, if a loved one is already in a nursing home, the same benefits can allow the person to transition to a new setting, such as assisted living, adult foster care, or even home.

That's right! For families who qualify, a loved one who would otherwise need a nursing home can live at home, or another suitable location, and still receive Medicaid benefits to pay for such things as:

• Personal care
• Homemaking
• Respite for caregivers
• Adult day services
• Home-delivered meals
• Transportation
• Private duty nursing
• Personal emergency response systems
• Chore service
• Counseling
• Home injury control
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Client/caregiver training

This money can be used to pay professional caregivers, or even to pay family members for the care that they are already providing. The MI Choice Waiver Program is administered through the Michigan Department of Community Health and is available for qualified seniors who would otherwise be eligible for a nursing home but who would prefer to live home or a less restrictive facility.

The financial guidelines can be complicated. As with any Medicaid planning, it should only be pursued with the help of a qualified professional, such as an experienced elder law attorney.

The Center for Elder Law in Oakland County, Michigan, offers Medicaid planning services for Michigan families throughout the State. As part of the Home Sweet Home Initiative, our experienced attorneys offer free consultations to explain how families might become eligible for the MI Choice Waiver Program (as well as traditional Medicaid qualification for seniors who do need a nursing home).

You can reach The Center for Elder Law and learn about the Home Sweet Home Initiative by calling 248-641-PLAN (641-7526).