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Lease is up in 6 months.one is now on Medicaid and can bearly sign his name legible. Community spouse has poa. Ages are 81 with mild vascular dementia and 78 for spouse.
Suggestions please.


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Everyone has a different approach regarding a vehicle. Some prefer a brand new car every couple of years, others prefer to buy a used vehicle.

I am the used vehicle buyer, I bought one that was 2 years old which had just came off of a corporate lease, got a great deal. That vehicle has been so good that it is now 20 years old and it still feels like and drives like a new vehicle.

As for a vehicle for an older person, I noticed with my parents that my Dad had a really tough time trying to get out of a sedan, it was very painful for him. For my Mom, she wasn't able to get into my SUV but my Dad found the SUV extremely easy to get in and out. If my parents were still driving, I would suggest a cross-over vehicle that is a bit taller than a sedan but lower then an SUV.
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How much longer will these folks be driving? Is the current vehicle beyond repair? Is it time to transition to no driving?

My Dad is 86, drives 2 miles to the grocery/drug store. He has a solid older car that's safe and small. He has dementia, so any hint of him wanting to buy a new care must be discouraged. It would make no sense for him to spend a chunk of savings or get a loan for a car at his age. I hope to end the driving soon.

If this proceeds, I don't think leasing is ever a good deal. Dealers push leases because there's more profit. People are encouraged to lease MORE car than than could otherwise afford. I think Flyer is right, get a solid used car.
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Freqflyer
Thank you for your reply I am also thinking of getting a crossover for the same reason you mentioned,and also I feel a crossover is the best for me as I need the trunk room for a small wheel chair,plus the shopping cart and groceries.
My son does not want me to have a SUV.
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No, on Medicaid you can't get a loan or lease. Medicaid patients have no credit. That means you will have to do this on your own, without his credit. Check your credit score.
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I didn't realize that I am the community spouse and get 95 percent of his pension, also I assumed that since I will be using the car also for his benefit I wouldn't have any trouble. We have a joint account and his pension is co mingled with mine
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I don't think Pam is correct about this when a community spouse is involved. The issue is can you afford to buy the car or pay for the lease, with the money you are allowed to have?

At least in my state several years ago I did not lose my rights to sign contracts or get credit. In fact I did those things. It was my husband who was on Medicaid, not me. Check with his case worker to see if there are any limitations.
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Here is a good government article about what community spouses can do with money: https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/spouses-medicaid-long-term-care-recipients

Sounds to me like a car is fine, but do contact the case worker to remove any doubts.
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Charko, take the wheelchair with you when you look for a vehicle. Practice getting it in and out of the trunk. I had a station wagon and had no problem getting a wheelchair, walker and/or oxygen tanks in, but just getting a rollator in my sedan is now problematic. A wheelchair would be impossible. Next vehicle will have a low trunk threshold.
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Garden Artist:
Thanks, that is what im looking for. Surprised you had trouble with the rollator. I just fold mine up and throw it in the back seat. But the mini wheel chair needs more room which is why im looking for a low trunk threshold, especialy since we live in an apartment and have to add the shoping cart & grocery. At 80 not in the mood to do any heavy lifting.
jeanegibbs:
Thanks that was a very informative link.
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About leasing, in general its a bad financial for individuals and will have all sorts of penalties IF it gets returned early, mileage goes over, has damage (your going to need tippy-top insurance coverage for leases) upon the vehicles return. They can work for biz to lease for taxes though. I lease a SUV but my biz is the lease holder as I need a new every 3.5 yrs as I use it as a real work-horse.

Try to test drive and do a test load-in of whatever stuff (wheelchairs, equipment) as trunk space and space size really can change from model years. Like some which were flat trunk with tires submerged underneath have changed to drop inset trunk with tire inside and these are a beast to get crap in & out of. SUV's that have stadium seating for the back seat can be nice if you have elders you need to keep your eye on. There are some SUV/vans that can get a load-in ramp put in so when you open the trunk you pull out a mini ramp (think telescoping luggage handle but with a platform) so you can roll gear & stuff in.
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