Dear Savvy Senior, If my mother needs to move into a nursing home, what are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage?
Caretaking Son

Dear Caretaking,
The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary according to the state your mother lives in. With that said, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify.
Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t have the resources to pay for their own care. (Note that some states have different names for their Medicaid program.)
Most people who enter nursing homes don’t qualify for Medicaid at first but pay for care either through long-term care insurance or out-of-pocket until they deplete their savings and become eligible for Medicaid.
To qualify for Medicaid, your mother’s income and assets will need to be under a certain level that’s determined by your state. Most states (except California) require that a single person have no more than about $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for a married couple) that includes cash, savings, investments or other financial resources that can be turned into cash.
Assets that aren’t counted for eligibility include your mother’s home if it’s valued under $713,000 (this limit is higher – up to $1,071,000 – in some states), her personal possessions and household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plans and a small amount of life insurance.
But be aware that while her home is not considered a countable asset to determine eligibility, if she can’t return home, Medicaid can go after the proceeds of her house to help reimburse her nursing home costs, unless a spouse or other dependent relative lives there. (There are some other exceptions to this rule.)
After qualifying, all sources of your mother’s income such as Social Security and pension checks must be turned over to Medicaid to pay for her care, except for a small personal needs allowance – usually between $30 and $160.
You also need to be aware that your mother can’t give away her assets to qualify for Medicaid faster. Medicaid officials will look at their financial records going back five years (except in California which has a 30-month look-back rule) to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they find one, her Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certain length of time, according to a formula that divides the transfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in their state.
So, for example, if your mom lives in a state where the average monthly nursing home cost is $8,000 and she gave away cash or other assets worth $160,000, she would be ineligible for benefits for 20 months ($160,000 divided by $8,000 = 20).
Spousal Protection
Medicaid also has special rules (known as the community spouse resource allowance) for married couples when one spouse enters a nursing home, and the other spouse remains at home. In these cases, the healthy spouse can keep one half of the couple’s assets up to $154,140 (this amount varies by state), the family home, all the furniture and household goods and one automobile. The healthy spouse is also entitled to keep a portion of the couple’s monthly income – between $2,465 and $3,854. Any income above that goes toward the cost of the nursing home recipient’s care.
What about Medicare?
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities, does not pay for long-term care. It only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must occur after a three-day hospital stay.
For more information, contact your state Medicaid office. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShipHelp.org), which provides free counseling on Medicare and Medicaid issues.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit https://savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Homewatch CareGivers of Edmond located at 3501 French Park Drive, Suite G, serves Edmond and surrounding areas, providing home health care services with compassion.
It is now transitioning to a new business focus called Total Care Solutions, which services include active care, wellness care, personal care, transitional care, care on demand, specialized care, and private-duty nursing, said owner Tobi Overgaard.
“We provide all kinds of care, for all ages and we specialize Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Long-term, spinal injuries, and wound-care,” she said. “We also do day service for clients who are having surgery, and we cover a large area of the State of Oklahoma. We employ Caregivers to (NP’s) Nurse Practitioners.”
Part of the Total Care Solutions service includes placing a camera in a client’s home.
“I believe we’re the first in-home care company in Oklahoma to do this ,” she said. It’s part of our service to have a way for the whole family to communicate with their loved one. The client will be able to have medication and appointment reminders and talk with Dr’s through the TV. They can view up to 10 people at a time on the screen. It’s HIPAA-compliant and it’s a game changer.” It allows the family to be able to check in with mom and dad if they’re far away, and just to keep an eye on them. We have people who have Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD who will benefit from having it in the home.
She continued, “If we have clients that are sitting at home, have clients that have Alzheimer’s, or that have dementia, they might not remember to take their medications. They might not remember to eat,” she said. “We can have a reminder pop up (on TV) and say, “Hey, don’t forget to have your lunch. We put it in the icebox, and we cooked it for you. It’s in the icebox.” It allows them to do care over television. So, if they can’t get to the doctor, the doctor can just tele-visit with them in-home.”
Overgaard said the camera placements also help parents who have children who have ADHD.
“We have a lot of ADHD kids, and when they put the cameras in their house, it’s life altering,” she said. “If they’re having an issue, and the mom isn’t able to get their child to the doctor’s appointment, they can do a home health call right there. They don’t have to leave the house.”
Overgaard said they also can put motion sensors in a client’s home.
“We have motion sensors we can put in the house, so that the family can track and see, “Hey, mom was up at 4 this morning, walking around. What’s going on? Is she okay? Did she fall?” she said.
Homewatch Caregivers provides in-home care for seniors on a weekly, daily, or 24-hour basis, but their teams can also assist with individuals of any age, ability or condition.
Overgaard said Oklahoma’s highly regulated in-home health, so hiring the right people is extremely important.
“We want to make sure all our people are fingerprinted. They’re insured. They’re FBI checked. Everything. We run through the gamut on our people to make sure we’re sending really good people to your homes,” she said. We make sure we train them that way so that they know exactly what they’re supposed to do and how you want it done.”
Overgaard said each client gets a home assessment for their needs.
“When we go in and do the assessment, we make sure things are done the way that you want it done,” she said. “I don’t want my caregivers just going in and putting in a TV dinner in the microwave and saying, “Okay, I’ve made you dinner.” I want them to cook the dinner. If they want a bowl of soup, don’t just stick it in the bowl and put it in the microwave. Cook it on the stove. If we can’t help you the way you need the help, then you don’t need us. So, we try to connect with the client and make sure they are taken care of. We go just a little bit further into better care. We’re like a family member, versus being just some lady that’s sent to your house to watch you. We interact with the client, and we care.”
Overgaard works closely with the Oklahoma City’s VA Community Care Provider Program helping veterans with their healthcare needs.
Community providers are a vital part of VA’s high-performing health care network, ensuring eligible Veterans and their beneficiaries get the timely, high-quality health care they need.
“I’m a community care provider,” she said. “The VA, when they have veterans come in, and they’ve been awarded hours to get home health, basically, either they pick us, or we find the veterans and we tell them, “Hey, if you need help, we can help you with this. If they haven’t received their VA benefits before, we will go to them with the paperwork, fill it out, send it in, and get them started on getting help, getting home health. We’ll walk them through the whole process.”
Overgaard is the only Homewatch Caregivers franchise in Oklahoma which allows her to offer veterans help across the state including rural areas.
“I bought the two largest areas already under my franchise license, but since there isn’t anybody else, the whole state is my playground,” she said. “The VA uses us a lot because we will go to those places. If there’s a veteran that’s out far away, and he can’t get home health, I’ll try to hire a caregiver in that area. They don’t even know that they can get this help. I come across that almost every single day.”
A two-time cancer survivor, Overgaard knows the importance of providing great care for others.
“You need the help that you need,” she said. “If we’re not helping you that way, then we’re no good to anybody.”
For more information about Homewatch Caregivers call (405) 444-3002 or visit
https://www.homewatchcaregivers.com

By Marilyn Olson, VillagesOKC Executive Director

Many of the 370,000 people 50+ in the Oklahoma City metro know that having a good neighbor is the solution for borrowing sugar or the answer for a little help trimming a crepe myrtle or on a ladder replacing light bulbs. For others, it is getting a little assistance with an iPhone or Android device from someone who knows. Finding a trustworthy plumber, dog sitter, attorney or someone to go to the movies with is all a part of the connections available through VillagesOKC.
For the past six years, VillagesOKC has been serving the metro by developing programs and connection opportunities to empower local adults to age with vitality and purpose. With a variety of impactful initiatives, from educational workshops to veteran recognition events to caregiver support, VillagesOKC seeks to enhance the lives of older adults and their families.
Successful aging involves individuals taking personal responsibility to plan combined with community engagement. The GIFT, Gathering Information for Transitions, is another VillagesOKC program helping members learn about options, make decisions and write in a notebook for rapid access in a crisis. VillagesOKC is the one connection that unites both individual and community forces. This is important since the number of adults in Oklahoma will soon outnumber children under 18 for the first time.
The VillagesOKC mission of empowerment is founded on the transformative idea that the narrative around aging must be fundamentally redefined. Rather than viewing all seniors as dependents requiring constant support, VillagesOKC recognizes them as valuable leaders within the community. People 50 and older possess significant experience, wisdom and capabilities. This offers ongoing opportunities to lead, contribute and flourish. This shift in perspective not only enriches their lives but also strengthens the social fabric of our community.
Strategic partnerships with local organizations and businesses mean less duplication and more cooperation. VillagesOKC partnerships include Senior Living Truth Series, OKC Mature Moves, Buckelew Realty, NewView Oklahoma, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, Force50 Foundation, YMCAs of Greater Oklahoma City and YMCA Healthy Living Center, Directors Life Assurance, Providence Home Care, Nerve Renewal Neuropathy Clinics, CompleteOK (Homecare, Palliative Care and Hospice), Pinnacle Behavioral Healthcare, Senior Care Referral Services, Concordia Life Plan Community, Mercer Adams Funeral Service, Navigating Medicare as well as DHS Community Adult Living and Adult Protective Services, and the State Council on Aging. For more information about VilagesOKC call 405-990-6637 or visit
https://villagesokc.org.

by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

At the age of 90, Al Postelwait is well known and a beloved resident of Tealridge Retirement

Community in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he has been a resident for three and half years. Known for his gentle demeanor and dedication to helping others, Al has touched the hearts of many in the community. His upcoming 90th birthday was a highly anticipated event and the entire center was excited to celebrate such a remarkable milestone. The staff planned a grand celebration in honor of Al. The day would include a birthday party and a ‘surprise geese release.’
As I introduced myself to Al, he told me a little about himself. “I was born in the small town of Radeltt, Texas, a small farm town. It was a place where hard work was respected and family bonds were strong. After high school, I had a long career working for Olin and Mobil Chemical with the fertilizer division. I attended Oklahoma State University, where I earned my masters in Agriculture.”
“In February 1957, I was stationed in Brunswick, Maine as a Navy commissioned officer, serving as a navigator of seaplanes, patrol planes and search and rescue planes. I was the navigator and I never got lost and that was definitely a good thing,” Al said, laughing. “These were the old World War II-era planes, propeller planes, not jets. During my military service, I was assigned to various locations. I was assigned to Malta, Spain, Iceland, Guantanamo Bay and Bermuda, spending a lot of time away from home. I also served as a navigator during the Cuban Missile Crisis which was a significant part of my career.”
Al enjoys living at Tealridge, finding it to be the perfect place for his needs and desires. His room overlooks a beautiful pond with ducks and geese, which he watches everyday through his large picture window. There are a few benches by the pond, where it’s common to see residents feeding the ducks and geese.
About three months ago, Al and his friends were sitting on a bench close to the pond when a gaggle of Canadian geese walked by. Al noticed one goose had a bad leg and was hopping to keep up with the others. He began calling the goose Hop-a-long. The injured goose struggled to cover even half the distance of the others. Al reported the injured goose to the staff, who contacted Wildcare Oklahoma, an organization dedicated to rescuing native wildlife and providing medical care and rehabilitation. They came out, caught the goose and assured everyone that it would be well taken care of.
Signs about Al’s birthday were posted throughout Tealridge and the residents began walking down the hallways, ready for the birthday party. As they entered the room, they were greeted by Al’s three daughters. Al was the center of attention, receiving congratulations, hugs and handshakes. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers as family and friends gathered to wish him a happy birthday. Cake, ice cream and cookies were served as one of his friends played ‘Happy Birthday’ on the piano. Little did Al know, the staff had another surprise waiting for him. With the help of Wildcare Oklahoma, today was going to be special. Hop-a-long was ready to be released on this special day.
As the birthday party was winding down, an announcement was made:
“Al, we have a special surprise for you. Do you remember about three months ago, you told us about the goose that had a hurt leg? Wildcare Oklahoma restored him back to health and now, Hop-a-long is ready to be released!”
“I was excited as my friends and I made our way towards the pond. There was a cage with a cloth over it, and as I got closer, I could see four geese inside. The cage was opened and out waddled Hop-a-long, with three new friends. It was quite a surprise to see the injured goose home again.”
“Today, I still take great pleasure in watching the ducks and geese land on the pond, flapping their wings back and forth. Each descent reminds me of a seaplane gliding smoothly onto the water. While I can’t always distinguish one goose from another, I like to imagine Hop-a-long is among them, adding a bit of joy to the onlookers. The water and the soothing motions of the birds bring a sense of peace and contentment to my day. I’m not sure which goose is which, but I have a feeling, Hop-a-long must be there somewhere. I like to think so.”
Al Postelwait is a devoted father and grandfather who shared a wonderful 60-year marriage with his beautiful wife, Carole. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, he served as a commissioned officer and navigator, always maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. He walks daily, attends exercise classes with 5-10 pound weights, and enjoys his weekly Bible study sessions. Additionally, he finds joy in working puzzles and watching the ducks and geese at Tealridge Retirement Community.
Happy Birthday Dad,
Dad taught us three girls to be independent and able to take care of ourselves during a time when most dads weren’t doing that. He was a ‘girl dad’ before being a girl dad was hip. He was steady, reliable, loving and caring. When our mom started suffering from dementia, he cared for her so well over the years that we didn’t even realize the extent of her illness. He was exemplified loving someone in a patient and unselfish way. Love, Lisa, Lora and Cara

By Nick Thomas

Her film and television career only lasted a decade, but Evelyn Rudie’s memories from the 1950s and 60s as a child actor remain vivid beginning with a small role in the Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron 1955 musical, “Daddy Long Legs.” After meeting director Henry Koster through a family connection when she was just 3 years old, young Evelyn was offered an audition at Twentieth Century Fox.
“They thought I looked exactly like Leslie Caron would have looked like as a child,” recalled Rudie, who ended up playing one of the orphan children in a scene with the French actress.
Throughout the 50s she appeared in several movies but received special acclaim for roles in live television plays on shows such as “Playhouse 90” and “General Electric Theater.” For her performance as Eloise in the 1956 CBS “Playhouse 90” episode of the same name, Rudie became the first child nominated for an Emmy.
The TV play was based on the Eloise children’s book series from the 50s written by actress Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight. The books portray the fictitious antics of young Eloise who lives in the New York City Plaza Hotel. With plenty of dialogue, Rudie’s character was central to the story and her performance on live TV was flawless (the 90-minute show can be seen on YouTube), but the original plan was for Thompson to overdub Rudie’s voice.
“They wanted to know if I could say my lines if I was coached all day before the broadcast,” explained Rudie. “Well, I’d heard those lines every day for three weeks during rehearsals, so it really wasn’t any big deal for me.”
Rudie’s role in the 1959 “General Electric Theater” episode Nobody’s Child was also memorable, mainly due to her co-star.
“I worked with Ronald Reagan who was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” she said. “He had a way of looking at you that made you feel like you were the most important person in his life. He did that with the director, the gaffer, the lady in the commissary – everyone. Whether or not it was genuine who knows, but it probably served him well when he went into politics.”
And speaking of presidents, when bantering with Groucho Marx in 1959 on “You Bet Your Life,” she informed the comedian if she didn’t remain in acting, she wanted to become president of the United States stating, “a woman has just as much right to be president as a man does.” Not surprisingly for the time, the line drew only modest applause from the audience mixed with a sprinkling of what sounded like disapproving ‘oohs’ as well.
“At school, in first grade, we talked about career choices, so I only wanted to be president if my acting career didn’t work out. Fortunately, it did,” she said.
Rudie’s true acting passion turned out to be theater where she still works today. Along with husband Chris DeCarlo, the couple have been artistic directors since 1973 at the Santa Monica Playhouse where they also act in productions (see www.santamonicaplayhouse.com). This coming fall, the Playhouse will be premiering “My Father’s Trunk,” the story of her father’s years as an underground anti-Nazi cabaret creator. After he died in 1996, Rudie discovered an old trunk in the basement containing costumes, set designs, show programs, and most of the songs and sketches he wrote for the Secret Cabaret at the Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam.
“I’ve been translating the songs ever since and finally we’re ready to start putting the show together,” she says. “In a way, I’m grateful I didn’t do more films or a TV series because a lot of kids who did became messed up. I got to be a normal kid and enjoy an acting career at the same time.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. See
https://www.getnickt.org.

Story and photos by Marise Boehs

The mission of Healthy Living Norman is to promote the health and well-being of adults aged 50 and older by providing opportunities for physical activity, social engagement, and lifelong learning at the Adult Wellness and Education Center.

Healthy Living Norman uses a six-dimensional model of wellness that includes emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and occupational factors. The goal of the wellness center is to embody and provide programs under one roof to improve the quality of life for adults 50 and above in the Norman community. The 32,000-square-foot facility serves as a hub of wellness activities.

To better educate the community and showcase this new facility, they held an open house on Saturday, July 13th.

“We have been open 8 months today,” said Katherine Leidy, Healthy Living Norman Branch Manager. “We have done some fun things and have more activities planned – more dances which have been a huge attraction. We have pickleball and billiards. The pool always has fun things happening.”

“Membership is $35 a month. But we do have a sliding scale for those with lower incomes. We also accept Silver Sneakers and Renew Active, which cover the monthly membership fee,” Leidy explained.

Membership includes access to the gym and pool as well as all activities and classes. While some classes may have a fee for materials, entry is included.

A 1st Annual Wellness Expo will be held on Saturday, August 17th. It is free and open to the public. This event is meant to encourage healthy lifestyles for people 50+ with demos, samples, and information about healthy lifestyles from various vendors.

They are planning a group trip to England, Scotland, and Wales in October. For more information check out their website at www.healthylivingnorman.com.

The website also has all Programs and Class Schedules available at the Center.

This is an awesome new center geared to 50+ persons to encourage  health, wellness and camaraderie. If you want to just check it out they have a day pass for $10.

Center Amenities
Warm Indoor
Saltwater Pool
Demonstration Kitchen
Fitness Center
Land and Water
Fitness Classes
Health Screenings
Seminars and Events
Billiards
Indoor Walking Track
Outdoor Pickleball Courts
Fireplace and Lounge Area
Small Gathering Spaces
Art and Educational Classes

By Marise Boehs

Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort, a staple of Norman’s pet care since 1970, has added two more skilled professionals to their growing staff and clinic practice.

A  full-service, companion-animal hospital committed to providing your pet with lifetime quality care, Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort offers a variety of services for all pets including your aging pet.  Dr. Beverly Fritzler (who has owned the practice since 1990) and her family and staff are constantly looking for the next medical treatment breakthrough. And the practice has invested accordingly. They offer the latest technology and equipment and their staff stays  up-to-date with continuing education.

A complete list of their services is available on their website
(www.roserockvethospital.com)

Natalia Burgos, DVM
Dr. Natalia Burgos joined the medical team of Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital as an Associate Veterinarian in June 2024. Growing up in Cayey, Puerto Rico, Dr. Burgos always know that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Even when she experienced doubts throughout undergrad and vet school, she persisted because she remembered that this is what she’s meant to do.

Before becoming a veterinarian, she did research with sheep and goats during her undergrad. She also worked at 2 small animal practices in Puerto Rico. She received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Puetro Rico in Mayaguez in 2020 before attending Ross University to receive her veterinary degree in 2024. She is a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include surgery, preventative medicine, and internal medicine.

At home, Dr. Burgos has two dogs; Lola, a small breed mix that she’s had since 2016, and Mocha, a Boxer-Heeler mix that she just recently adopted. In her free time, she enjoys running in the mornings, and staying active at the gym. She enjoys outdoor activities and staying busy, as well as going to new restaurants to try different foods.

Victoria Mitchell, DVM
Dr. Victoria Mitchell joined Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital in July 2024 as an Associate Veterinarian. She was born in Oklahoma City and spent a majority of her time between OKC and Northwest Missouri. Growing up around animals, Dr. Mitchell knew she wanted to care for them because they brought her so much joy. As she got older, she realized the role that animals play in human health, which influenced her to become a veterinarian.

Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Mitchell worked at Awesome Care Veterinary Hospital. She attended Rose State College for her Associate degree before receiving two degrees from Oklahoma State University; a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2017, receiving the President’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s Honor Roll. She went onto attend Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine for her DVM and graduated in 2024. Dr. Mitchell was a member of Phi Zeta Nu, the Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include surgery, ophthalmology, and exotics.

“I love the ability to advocate for animals and educate clients so they can make informed decisions regarding the care of their pets,” Dr. Mitchell shares.

At home, Dr. Mitchell has two Great Danes named Cleopatra and Gypsy, one German Shepard named Gracie, a bunny named Jerry Thanos, two cats named Snowball and Ash, and a Ball Python named Pickle. She enjoys reading, swimming, going to the movies and watching her kids, Anthony, Elijah and Gabriel, play sports with her husband, Brett.