Just Beginning

Hello and let me say how extremely grateful I am for this site.

My 80 year old Mom, a widow of a WWII veteran, has MS, serious and painful back problems and navigates with a scooter when outside the house and a walker inside. Her prescription drug costs are extremely high, even with the Medicare benefit. She has one hour of home aid help per day. This help consists of making her bed, washing dishes, preparing food for her, helping her with her shoes, etc. She currently doesn't have nursing help at home although she has in the past. She is currently able to take her own shower although she's needed and received help in the past.

Does the daily household help she receives qualify as "home health care service"? I have no doubt the doctor would certify this as she is the one who suggested it is necessary. The service is provided by a local nursing home's home care unit and she has receipts, etc.

My Mother's income situation is that she gets Social Security of around $800./month, slightly less than $400./month from a reverse mortgage on her house and $1000./month from a trust set up by her spouse - my Dad. The trust is irrevocable and the balance is under $80,000. and sinking fast.

Does the trust balance count as an asset even though this is an irrevocable trust and administered by a bank trust department? She has no control over this trust.

Does the reverse mortgage payment count as income even though it is taking equity from her house and that is an excluded asset for computation purposes?

I thank in advance any and all people who can advise me about this. My Mother's situation isn't easy and she is very brave. She thanks you, too.