%0 Journal Article %J The Milbank Quarterly %D 2001 %T Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Disability Among the Near Elderly: A Longitudinal Analysis %A Ostermann, Jan %A Frank A Sloan %K Disabilities %K Health Conditions and Status %K Net Worth and Assets %K Social Security %X In this study the 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998 waves of the Health and Retirement Study were used as a way to ascertain the validity of government policy changes in transfer benefits based on alcohol consumption and disability. Are heavy drinkers more likely than abstainers or moderate drinkers to be disabled and receiving transfers from SSDI or SSI? (cross-sectional analysis). How have the 1996 policy revisions changed the amount of government transfers given to the disabled who consume alcohol and the ease in receiving such receipts? (longitudinal analysis). The authors discuss many ways in which alcohol use may effect a persons body and ability to complete tasks, as well as, some ways in which preferences toward alcohol consumption can affect ones economic and financial decisions. At wave 4 in 1998 they find there is a strong correlation between rates of disability and the drinking behavior/history of drinking problems reported in Wave 1 of 1992. However, moderate drinkers were the least likely to be disabled in 1998 and the abstainers were the most likely. At the same time though, those that reported being heavy drinkers, had the most limitations on their abilities and were the most likely to be receiving SSDI or SSI transfers. The odds of death between two years (time interval between waves) was insignificant, but those who drank heavily reported more limitations at each subsequent wave. The change in policy had practically no effect on number of people collecting SSDI/SSI. Heavy and problem drinkers were less numerous among those receiving SSDI/SSI after the policy changes, but the data in this study were unable to pinpoint the specific reasons for this outcome. %B The Milbank Quarterly %I 79 %V 79 %P 487-515 %G eng %N 4 %L pubs_2001_Ostermann_JMiliQuart.pdf %4 Health Behaviors/Health Status/Economic Status/Alcohol Drinking/Supplemental Security Income/Disability/Disability %$ 8542 %0 Journal Article %J The Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences %D 1999 %T Formation of Trusts and Spend Down to Medicaid %A Donald H. Taylor Jr. %A Frank A Sloan %A Edward C Norton %K Adult children %K Demographics %K Health Conditions and Status %K Healthcare %K Medicare/Medicaid/Health Insurance %K Methodology %K Net Worth and Assets %X OBJECTIVE: To identify the proportion of community-dwelling elderly persons (70 ) who could affect their eligibility for Medicaid financing of a nursing home stay through the use of a trust and to quantify the prevalence and predictors of trusts. METHODS: State-specific Medicaid eligibility regulations were used to determine eligibility and to identify those who could affect the same through the use of trusts. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify correlates of having a trust. Wave 1 of the Assets and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old (AHEAD) data base was used. RESULTS: Four in 10 elderly community dwellers could potentially qualify for Medicaid by using a trust; however, less than 10 had a trust. On average, wealthier persons had trusts. Avoidance of probate and controlling assets after death appear to be stronger motivations for trust creation among the elderly than achieving Medicaid spend down. DISCUSSION: The use of trusts was not common, and motives other than spend down were more important for those with trusts. Our results suggest little need for policy efforts to limit the use of trusts to achieve spend down. %B The Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences %I 54B %V 54B %P S194-201. %G eng %U https://watermark.silverchair.com/54B-4-S194.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAArkwggK1BgkqhkiG9w0BBwagggKmMIICogIBADCCApsGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQMp0UUg1PuPyPtW2TQAgEQgIICbKvSCKf7gEQSGvy-WxqpuojGLR3OKgcObNMZ3E6gB4hR %N 4 %L pubs_1999_Taylor_FJGSeriesB.pdf %4 Aged, 80 and Over/Assets/Eligibility Determination/Financing, Personal/Homes for the Aged/Intergenerational Transfers/Medicaid/Nursing Homes/Support, U.S. Government--PHS/United States %$ 4320