I'm 53, disabled, and own a home. My sister, who is my heir, is worried that if I need to go into a nursing home, the state will take the house from her. I still owe her money, which she and her husband loaned me to purchase and rehabilitate the house. The plan was that either I would refinance the home and cash out enough to pay her back or she would sell the house after I passed to recoup the loan from my estate. What do I need to do to guarantee that she will be able to keep the house if I need to go into a nursing home? My health is stable right now, and I don't think that will be anytime soon. She says we have to change ownership of the house at least five years in advance to keep it from being taken. My home is my security. I don't want anyone else to own it while I live there. What can I do?

Increased dependency due to illness, disability or cognitive impairments can make seniors susceptible to financial abuse.  Here are some steps seniors or their loved ones can take to prevent financial abuse.

My 78-year-old mother wanted to gift her house to me, but I turned her down for Medicaid and tax reasons. She is maxed out on a reverse mortgage, but there is untapped equity of around $50,000. She doesn't want the house to go to the bank or to a Medicaid lien. She still lives in the house and cares for herself, but her health is deteriorating. Is it practical for me to buy the house at fair market value and rent it back to her? The net proceeds would cover a fair market value lease for maybe six years. Her goal is to keep the house in the family, and spend down her assets. Whatever we do, I want an arm's-length transaction for her sake and mine. Any feedback will be appreciated.

Four years ago, my mother and father each gave cash gifts to their children. Two years ago, my mother passed away, never entering a long-term care facility or applying for Medicaid. My father may need to apply for Medicaid in the near future. Will the gifts made by my mother play any factor in the five-year look back period for my father? Or is he only responsible for the gifts that he made? Maybe a different way to ask the question is: Are gifts from married spouses given as a couple or as individuals?

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