The Connecticut Elder Law Blog

Nursing Home Admission Agreements...Read the Fine Print!

The length of nursing home admission agreements often goes into double-digits, and responsible family members are often desperate to sign anything to get mom or dad onto a waiting list.  This can result in a legal nightmare when the family is unpleasantly surprised later when they find out what they agreed to.  This issue was recently covered in this article by the Columbia Tribune out of Missouri, and it's worth a quick read.

Things to keep an eye out for: liberal guidelines regarding when a resident can be evicted, very restrictive visiting hours for family members, and requiring that a family member accept financial responsibility for the resident.  These types of requirements may violate federal law; specifically, the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987.  This law is summarized nicely by AARP here.

So before you sign such an agreement, take a deep breath, set aside some time and go through it carefully.  As a conservator for several elderly nursing home residents, I often cross out and initial certain provisions of nursing home admission agreements that I do not agree with and then sign it.  If the facility has a problem with your alterations, they will let you know about it and then you will have to hash it out with them.  But if they accept the agreement with your changes without objecting to them then they, arguably, are bound to the amended agreement.

And, although this is a self-serving plug, ask an elder law attorney to review the agreement for you if you're not 100% comfortable with it.

Affordable Housing Opportunity for CT Seniors

I just wanted to let readers know about an affordable housing opportunity in central Connecticut.  I have been appointed conservator for an elderly individual and I am in the process of moving him into this apartment building.  This is an "active adult community" for 55-and-over called Sage Pond Place in Berlin. 

It was built only one year ago, and it was done very tastefully.  See for yourself: Download Photo_103007_001.jpg Download Photo_103007_002.jpg Download Photo_103007_003.jpg Download Photo_103007_004.jpg

There is a large common area and a smaller common library/reading room.  Although it is on the Berlin Turnpike it is set well back from the road so that the highway is not visible and the setting is quiet.  The rooms are very spacious and they can easily accomodate wheelchairs and walkers.  Handicap accessible rooms have grab bars in the shower and near the toilet, a seat in the shower and an emergency pull-string which directly alerts local emergency services.  The Berlin Senior Center provides relatively frequent transportation to local shopping and doctor appointments.  And management has been very helpful and a pleasure to deal with. Please note that there is currently a "one month free" deal going on.

OK, here is the best part: the monthly rent for a 1-bedoom unit is only $765, 2-bedroom unit is $925.  The only catch is that there are income limits for residents.  If it's one occupant then the annual income limit is $33,700, or $2,808 per month.  Two occupants have an annual income limit of $38,600, or $3,216 per month.  The owners receive tax credits from the State, which allows them to charge very reasonable rates for such nice accomodations.  But they don't get the favorable tax treatment unless they impose these income limits.  There is no asset limit.

Places like this are an absolute blessing to many of my elderly clients who have incomes that are "not-too-low and not-too-high" category and are struggling to find decent and affordable housing.  It would be great if the State considered providing tax incentives to more of these types of housing units.  So if you or your loved one is in that difficult income category and in the central Connecticut area then Sage Pond Place is definitely worth a look!