How much does assisted living cost, and what are your options for covering these expenses? According to a government census, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day until 2030 and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes 70% of these individuals will require some type of long-term care services. Pensions have become less common and many people don’t have adequate retirement savings to cover these costs out of pocket—so what options do you have?

Providing care for an aging parents can be hard. Getting older comes with emotional, physical, and sometimes, financial stress. As each generation gets older and we are faced with the issue of caregiving, we start thinking about how we can help our parents live happy and fulfilled lives.

Medicaid spend down is a financial strategy used to qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage. In short, “spending down” involves reducing one’s income or assets to the point of eligibility. Medicaid law allows you to do so under some complex guidelines. You would typically pursue a spend down on behalf of a family member who needs pricey, long-term care.