Don’t Fret Over Finances OPTIONS TO HELP YOU PAY FOR LONG-TERM CARE
traditional Samhain practices. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival starts with the lighting of the first torch fire of Samhain in Athboy, which kicks off a month of fun activities. If you like your Halloween extra spooky, the scream park, Farmaphobia, is waiting for you. And if you’re not a fan of screaming your head off, you can check out the Halloween- themed Spookling Afternoon Tea for fresh- baked treats and spirited conversation. The motto of this all-ages festival is “Fun by Day; Frights by Night,” meaning all the really scary ghosts wait until after sunset to come out.
During the month of October, fear plays an interesting role in people’s lives. Whether you are trying to find the scariest Halloween costume or watching a gory slasher film, frightful feelings are often at the forefront of your mind. Here at BrightStar Care, our care teams have reported that the fears plaguing their patients’ family members the most are related to financial concerns. The cost of long-term health care among facility-based providers has steadily increased over the last decade. Surveys reveal that across the U.S., Americans paid approximately $14,633 more per year in 2016 for a nursing home than they had to pay in 2011. Because your primary concern when researching home health care should be to find a company that values trustworthy care, our team at BrightStar Care wants to provide with you some options available to help you afford home health care outside of insurance or private pay. 1. Community Care Program If your elderly family member lives on a limited income with few assets, they may be able to qualify for home care assistance through the Community Care Program offered through the Illinois Department on Aging. To qualify for this program, they must be 60 years or older, have nonexempt assets of $17,500 or less, and have an assessed need for long-term care. 2. Reverse Homeowner Mortgage This option allows homeowners ages 62 or older to access the equity they have in their home. The lender makes payments to the homeowner to help pay for home care or home improvements such as safety and accessibility modifications. 3. Veterans Affairs Aid U.S. military veterans and their surviving spouses who are 65 years and older may be entitled to a tax-free benefit called the Aid and Attendance Pension. 4. Life Insurance Conversions If your loved one has a life insurance policy that is no longer needed to provide for others, instead of lapsing or surrendering the policy, you may be able to convert it into a living benefit. This conversion insurance helps with the monthly expenses of home care, home modifications, and assisted living.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, from carving jack-o’-lanterns and eating chocolate to
running for your life through a haunted corn maze. And in County Meath, you can celebrate Halloween in every possible way. For more info, visit Discoverboynevalley.ie/whats- on/spirits-meath-halloween- festival-2018 .
SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH
Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds 1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Nonstick vegetable oil spray
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1 large egg white 1 teaspoon light agave syrup 1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
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INSTRUCTIONS
If you have questions pertaining to any of these options, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for answers at 630.260.5300.
1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.
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