SAN DIEGO -- Finding the best and most affordable care for an aging parent can be an anxiety-ridden and confusing time for many families, 10News reported.

But there are ways you can save thousands of dollars in monthly health care expenses, if you know where to turn, according to 10News.

Alta and Edward Fox have been married for 55 years. Their lives are enriched with children and grandchildren, and being retired, they thought they had no more surprises in their lives.

"I just didn't expect him to wake up in the morning (and be) sick. I didn't expect that. He was a well, healthy man," said Alta Fox about her husband, Edward.

Edward Fox, who already suffers from Parkinson's disease, is now saddled with early Alzheimer's disease, 10News reported.

Doctors told Alta Fox her husband would need full-time care at a skilled nursing facility.

"It would take more than what we have to just keep him there and we would have been bankrupt," Alta Fox said.

The Foxes were looking at thousands of dollars a month in health care costs.

But before the bills got out of control, the Foxes contacted elder rights attorney Scott Stewart, who is no stranger to elder-care sticker shock.

"I was actually quite shocked when I found out I had a couple of clients that were paying $30,000 (a month)," Stewart said.

Stewart was able to help the Foxes keep their bills manageable. But he said seniors who have not provided for long-term health care may be in for a big surprise.

"Most seniors think that Medicare will help pay for care and they are sorely mistaken," Stewart said.

Medicare pays for up to 100 days in a nursing facility after hospital care. But after that 100 days, your choices usually are Medi-Cal, personal insurance or out-of-pocket dollars.

"Thirty thousand dollars is a lot of money. Who can pay that? I don't make that much. That's a lot of money," Stewart said.

Some ladies at the College Avenue Senior Center are concerned.

"They just throw (seniors) to the wind and that's a bad thing to do. It's a shame," said Elisabeth Shuemaker.

Most residents in nursing homes in California are on Medi-Cal. But for some, it has serious drawbacks.

"But I was also concerned that he would hopefully not sell our house," Alta Fox said.

Medi-Cal requires some seniors to spend down, even sell off property to meet eligibility. However, Stewart said many seniors don't know there's a better way to go.

"Don't sell your home to qualify for Medi-Cal. (That's) a terrible mistake," Stewart said.

Now, thanks to help aids like Medi-Cal's Spousal Impoverishment Law, people may be entitled to keep what they have worked to make, 10News reported.

"It was a compassionate law put into protect the well spouse so they could keep a certain standard of living at that point," said Jennifer Duncan from the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.

Jennifer Duncan with HICAP put 10News in contact with several elder care resource services. She recommends four important steps that everyone should follow.

1. Sign over power of attorney to your spouse or a family member for medical decisions.
2. Develop a plan for long-term care. Write it all down and have the entire family agree.
3. Know the difference between Medicare and Medical -- Medical pays for most long-term care in California.
4. Consult an elder rights attorney.

"There were quick decisions that didn't give us a lot of time for thinking," Alta Fox said.

As for the Foxes, they continue their journey hand in hand, hoping others find the solutions they need.