For seniors with hearing trouble, aphasia, or cognitive difficulty, consider making a pictogram. Pictograms replace written language for people with limited hearing, speaking, reading, writing, or comprehending. A pictogram is a chart with pictures that represent objects or situations. Some pictograms even include symbols to indicate emotions or verbs, such as hearts for “love” or frowns for “dislike.” Pictogram developers suggest that one may use black and white only, to increase contrast. Besides symbols representing immediate needs, such as a glass for water, the pictogram could include pictures of kinds of services and events, such as open or closed casket funerals, places for a memorial services or receptions, pictures of caskets, urns, and other containers. The provider or agent can begin a sentence, such as “I need” or “I want,” and the customer need only point to the appropriate picture.
inability to speak. However, the person can still comprehend most information. Suggestions for communicating with a person with aphasia include the following: ● Be patient. Allow plenty of time to communicate. ● Be honest with the person. The provider or agent must let the person know if he or she cannot comprehend what the individual is saying. ● Allow the aphasic to try to complete his or her thoughts, to struggle with words. Avoid being too quick to guess what he or she is trying to say. ● If the customer can write, encourage him/her to do so and read it aloud. ● Use gestures or point to objects in supplying words or adding meaning. ● Use touch to aid in concentration, to establish another avenue of communication, and to offer reassurance and encouragement.
PART IV: CONSUMER INFORMATION
Please note that each state differs in its specific regulatory requirements. This information should be used as a general Advanced funeral planning Increasingly, people are making the choice to preplan their funeral arrangements. One choice is to pay funeral or burial expenses in advance. This relieves family members of the need to make these decisions and arrange the contracts. It can also provide heirs or the estate with specific information regarding burial wishes. Most insurance statutes currently permit two methods of funding preneed funeral needs: (1) trust-funded preneed contracts, and (2) insurance funded preneed contracts. In some states, all preneed sellers who offer trust funded preneed contracts and/or insurance-funded preneed Common questions concerning preneed contracts Q: Who receives the interest on the trust funds? A: Although most states limit the funds’ access by the provider until the customer dies, the interest earned is the property of the preneed contract seller, who uses it to offset price increases between the signing of the preneed contract and the funeral. Q: If money remains after the funeral, who receives it? A: Some states allow the provider to retain any remaining funds, while others specify that the beneficiaries do; many states do not specify. The state receives any money leftover if the customer was on Medicaid. Q: Does a preneed contract qualify as a method for spending down assets for Medicaid? A: Yes. However, each state Medicaid office has its own qualification guidelines. Contact your state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for further information. Q: Can a contract be used at any funeral home? A. It depends on the state. Some states allow customers who move to another state to transfer, some do not; some allow the provider to charge for the service, some don’t.
guide only; be sure to check with your individual state for the specific regulations that pertain to you.
contracts must be licensed as preneed contract sellers. Although anyone can become a licensed preneed contract seller, the majority of licensed preneed contract sellers are funeral homes, mortuaries, and cemeteries. Some states also permit licensed insurance agents to be preneed contract sellers. In the preneed industry, these individuals are referred to as preneed brokers. Do not purchase a preneed contract from a funeral home, mortuary, cemetery, or insurance producer that is not licensed with your state as a preneed contract seller. ought to be transferable without penalty; if the second home is less expensive, the customer should receive the difference. Q: Are the proceeds of an insurance-funded preneed contract taxable? A: Insurance policy premiums and proceeds are not currently considered taxable income for U.S. Internal Revenue Service purposes. Q: Can I borrow the cash value of my insurance policy? A: If your contract is revocable, yes. However, the estate must make up the difference in policy value at the time of death or the preneed contract may be terminated. Q: What if I cancel my life insurance policy that funds my preneed contract? A: The insurance policy will be subject to surrender charges and perhaps a reduced cash value. The preneed contract will terminate when the insurance policy is canceled. Q: What if I fail to pay my insurance premium on my life insurance-funded preneed contract? A: Life insurance policies continue the policy by paying the premium out of the cash value of the policy. Once the cash value is exhausted, the life insurance policy will be canceled, causing termination of the preneed contract.
The NFDA’s position is that a customer with an irrevocable contract should have the right to transfer, but that the original provider can charge for it. The FCA’s position is that either type of contract
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Book Code: FTX1625
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