Leave Mom where she is and let Hospice come there.
I would say she was turned down by Medicaid because she has too much money, especially being in an AL paying privately. In home Medicaid works similar to LTC medicaid in that you cannot have more than 2k in assets and your monthly income can't go above the income cap for that State.
Hi Jamie! Similar situation: my MIL is home with us on hospice and we have caregivers that we have hired. She is bedbound as well. I'm glad to share any insights I have gained on this journey. Ask away!
Everyone that NEEDS a caregiver is different. Everyone PROVIDING care is different.
What can you do? What can't you do? What won't you do? Everyone has a "line in the sand" That is when it is no longer safe to YOU to care for someone or if it is no longer safe for the care recipient. That is the point where they can not continue being a caregiver.
The cost of hiring a caregiver is high. And who is going to pay for caregivers? You or mom's assets? Are you hiring privately or going through an agency? both have advantages and disadvantages. It gets higher the more care that is needed. As a person declines the needs become greater.
If you are thinking about taking mom out of a facility and into your home you need to look closely at what that entails. 1. Her needs will increase 2. Is your house set up for caring for someone? Accessible with a walker? A wheelchair? for equipment like a Sit to Stand or a Hoyer Lift. Are there stairs? Carpet? Accessible bathroom? 3. Is this person at risk of "escaping" (just say yes because the possibility is high). How are you going to ensure that they are safe? 4. Are you married? If so is your spouse on board with this idea?
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Why was she denied Medicaid? Is that a problem that can be corrected? I do not mean hiding assets. But continuing to pay for her care then when assets are to the point where she would qualify apply again.
And unless you are VERY close to retiring DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB TO CARE FOR ANYONE!!!!
And side note I do not think someone with dementia should be in Assisted Living. There is more of a risk of the person leaving the facility and getting "lost".
I brought my dad home from rehab on palliative care. It has been 7 weeks and it has been the hardest and longest 7 weeks of my life.
My dad is mostly bedridden. He is in heart failure but that has been ongoing for years and years. At this point, he could live like this for YEARS.
I am his only caregiver. We do have OT and PT coming 2x's a week. A nurse and a CNA once a week. Otherwise, it is just me and my dad in this house 24 hours a day.
Your profile says that you're thinking about taking your mom with dementia out of her assisted living facility and into your home. I don't believe you completely understand exactly what you're in for if you choose to do that. She will only get worse and palliative care is a nurse coming only once a month to check on her and that is about it. You will need pretty much 24/7 caregivers coming to help you. Can your mother afford that? And even when your mother qualifies for hospice care, that will only mean a nurse coming once a week to start to check on her, and aides to come twice a week to bathe her. 99% of her care will still fall on you. Please think long and hard before you make such a drastic decision.
I would say she was turned down by Medicaid because she has too much money, especially being in an AL paying privately. In home Medicaid works similar to LTC medicaid in that you cannot have more than 2k in assets and your monthly income can't go above the income cap for that State.
Everyone PROVIDING care is different.
What can you do?
What can't you do?
What won't you do?
Everyone has a "line in the sand" That is when it is no longer safe to YOU to care for someone or if it is no longer safe for the care recipient. That is the point where they can not continue being a caregiver.
The cost of hiring a caregiver is high.
And who is going to pay for caregivers? You or mom's assets? Are you hiring privately or going through an agency? both have advantages and disadvantages.
It gets higher the more care that is needed.
As a person declines the needs become greater.
If you are thinking about taking mom out of a facility and into your home you need to look closely at what that entails.
1. Her needs will increase
2. Is your house set up for caring for someone? Accessible with a walker? A wheelchair? for equipment like a Sit to Stand or a Hoyer Lift. Are there stairs? Carpet? Accessible bathroom?
3. Is this person at risk of "escaping" (just say yes because the possibility is high). How are you going to ensure that they are safe?
4. Are you married? If so is your spouse on board with this idea?
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Why was she denied Medicaid? Is that a problem that can be corrected? I do not mean hiding assets. But continuing to pay for her care then when assets are to the point where she would qualify apply again.
And unless you are VERY close to retiring DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB TO CARE FOR ANYONE!!!!
And side note I do not think someone with dementia should be in Assisted Living. There is more of a risk of the person leaving the facility and getting "lost".
My dad is mostly bedridden. He is in heart failure but that has been ongoing for years and years. At this point, he could live like this for YEARS.
I am his only caregiver. We do have OT and PT coming 2x's a week. A nurse and a CNA once a week. Otherwise, it is just me and my dad in this house 24 hours a day.
I don't believe you completely understand exactly what you're in for if you choose to do that.
She will only get worse and palliative care is a nurse coming only once a month to check on her and that is about it.
You will need pretty much 24/7 caregivers coming to help you. Can your mother afford that?
And even when your mother qualifies for hospice care, that will only mean a nurse coming once a week to start to check on her, and aides to come twice a week to bathe her. 99% of her care will still fall on you.
Please think long and hard before you make such a drastic decision.
Do you know why your mom was denied Medicaid?
Medicare will not cover custodial care.
Did you have help filing for her? Medicaid is state specific.
Here is a NE link that lists resources for finding help.
https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/nebraska/medicaid-waivers/aged-and-disabled
This link also has contact info for your Area Agency on Aging which might be worthwhile to check with for services.
What are your concerns?