I stopped working to care for my aging Mother. Can I be reimbursed for the care?

How about Ohio?

Cbiscut, you might want to check out all of the adult daycare programs. I understand that one was bad, but that doesn't mean that they are all bad. My loved one went to adult day care for awhile and it was a wonderful place. (It's in Michigan). They took great care of everyone. It was a non-profit organization and only $8 an hour.

For all of us, we need to contact our legislators and ask them to fully fund the Lifespan Respite Care Act. They are authorized to spend over 70 million to offset the cost of inhome care for our loved ones or to pay us to care for our loved ones, but they've only designated a few million for this!

I have a mother who is 71 years of age and I have to stay home and take care of her. she is diagnosed with Parinoid schizophrinic. manic depressive, obsessive compulsive disorder, multipule personality, and mild to moderate alzimers with demitia. she thinks god and jesus is talking to her. thats her mentle state her physical state is she has an ingrown sphinker muscle in her esophucus and is on a soft food diet, so I have to take her to get her throat dialated once a month. or she chokes on food and then she gets phumonia, so her lungs are very weak. she is on oxygen, and has to have breathing treatments 3-4 times a day.
Plus I'm raising a 9 year old little girl by myself with no child support. my Father just passed away about a year ago, and all my mom gets his his soc. sec. of about $1,513.00 a month, so she don't qulaify for food stamps or anything else. I'm getting food stamps and medicade for both my daughter and I. I do have a home health nurse that comes visit my mom every 2 weeks. I had the advantage program at one time for both my mom and dad, but all they did was send a caregiver to help for a total of 15 hours a week, and all they did was wash there clothes, give them baths and clean their area, and then left, sometimes they would come and sometime they would'nt. ( had a hard time finding someone to come out) they also gave me frozen meals or T.V. dinners that would were out dated and little frozen cartins of milk that were out dated. and also gave me shower chairs and hand held showers, plus adult pull-ups and bed pads. ( got overwelmed with those) also got toilet risers for both bathrooms. I had to quit the advantage program coz they couldn't find the right girls who knew what they were doing some would use my my detergent to wash just a little bit of clothes and fill my wash machine to the fullest and our water bill would go sky high. some girls would come and suppose to stay for 3 hours and then leave after 30 min. or they would be too busy talking on their cell phones, and not paying attention to my parents. and now the state of Okla. has sent me a bill for about $ 800.00 and says it was an overpayment, since I quit the program because it wasn't closed right in time. I have no job and I'm about 2 months behind on the house payment and I need help in getting things done around the house, and with this little $1.513.00 all I can do is make house payments and utilitys and try to by moms meds and barily gas for our vehicle to get her to drs. app. and try to take care of my daughter at the same time. it seems like there is no hope for me I'm stressed out, tired, and at my ends. I will not put my mom in a nursing home since I saw what happen to my dad after one week there with him. I will not use any adult day care here in Lawton Okla, coz they seem to not watch their paients very well, I saw on the news here that one of them had lost a patient, by letting them walk out.
so if there is something out there that I'm over looking please some one let me know. I'm at my ends wit.

Hi Allison,
Go to the main Texas Web site and look for a department on aging. It may be under human services or something. Then find a phone number if they don't have comprehensive help online. This should lead you to county and other local options. There are Federal dollars for respite that go to waste because people don't know they qualify. You need to dig, but you'll get some help. Your county social services is good, too, but I'd start at the state level.
Carol

I know that Texas has it and I heard that Oklahoma did have it but they cut it due to butchet cuts I do get respit vouchers but thay are only about $300.00 per 3 months oklahoma has the advantage program but it isn't worth it too me. still I get no help from no one. and I'm tired. I'm also broke and stressed out. with no help and I have panic attack over this caregiving deal that I go through and have noone to talk to what so ecver I feel like noone cares for me

The cost of nursing home care varies between $5000 and $7000 to as much as $9000 per month depending upon state and the condition of the patient. In my opinion, $1500 for 24 hour care is disgraceful........but at least it's a start. This is what is scary about health reform. It will place the burden of elder care upon the family without sufficient reimbursement.

I don't know about North or South Carolina but California does not have this type of program YET. Washington state does. Idaho does not. Boomers will change this, so stay tuned for changes in this regard.

Shelley

I know live in Texas taking care of my Mother full time. Does anyone know how Texas is handling caring for parents? Is there a way to get paid being a caregiver? I need help!

2 weeks later and Mom still in nursing home. "They" have now decided Mom is making progress in physical therapy and needs 2 more weeks before she can come home. 10 days ago we were told that she would not get enough benefit from the therapy to be able to be on her own at home, because her balance was poor due to Parkinson's. Now that the UTI she had is cleared up, she is much better. Unfortunately, the "Home", has not been making sure she gets her meds on time, causing her to go into mini stupors, that almost make her seem comatose. If you deal with Parkinson's at all, you know they need their meds on time to keep them on an even keel. When she is feeling well, she is very agitated, probably because they have to keep a constant watch on her. She is very obsessive compulsive and has a need to be constantly in motion, causing much trouble to some of the staff. They even went so far as to have the staff psychiatrist interview her to see if she needed a med change to calm her down. Luckily I was there to tell him absolutely no med changes without the ok of her family and doctors. Things are a little quieter at home without her, but I still visit every day, and will bring her home because no matter how much is paid, she will get better care at home. It's a lot of work, but I can't stand by and watch her go through different stages of suffering because she's not getting her meds as needed.
I have found a CNA that was just let go from the nursing home due to budget cuts. She is willing to help me out when I need her. It will be a cash deal between us. Until Mom's assets are gone, and she can go on Masshealth,(Massachusetts Medicaid Plan) I'll plug along as best I can. When she does get on the state plan, I can get paid up to $1500/month, tax free, by the state to take care of her. Please check with your state to see if they have a plan like this. They would rather pay us, than shell out thousands more to a facility. Take care everyone, and hang in there. At least we can live with ourselves!

hay what about Oklahoma???? don't leave me out

deefer12
Your hospital should be able to give you some home health workers for a period of time since she was just released. Get your Dr. to call Visiting Nurse and the social worker. Every time there is a change in her condition, you are eligible for additional help.. mom's blood pressure was high, I got the Visiting Nurse for another month!!!!!!

Just got faced with the choice of bringing Mom home or leaving her in a nursing home.Because her modest income does not allow her to receive Medicaid, she would be considered a private pay and the cost would be $15,000/month. Looks like I will still be keeping her at home and trying to get help from wherever I can. They told us she can no longer be left on her own and needs someone with her 24/7, which is basically what I do now. They tried to tell us that their staff would keep round the clock watch on her. Unfortunately, right after our meeting, I heard a man calling for help. He was in a room two doors down from Mom and had fallen out of his wheelchair. None of the staff heard him, and I had to go get help!! I think she has a better chance of staying safe at home, even if I do have to occasionally let her out of my sight for a short time. They could take everything she owns in 6 months time and not give her the care she can get at home. Although the last couple of weeks without her here have been a blessing, I can't bring myself to leave her there. But, I also will not do all of this alone anymore. I am looking for home companions, etc. to help give me a break. We all deserve a life too, and need to stop feeling like we have to do everything ourselves. Trust me, if your parent has any money at all, it's really tough to find aid. But keep trying, there are some people out there to help.

I don't know of any programs in Georgia or Texas.
Your legislators can help you find programs and if there are no programs in your area, you need to make them aware of your needs.
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

how about texas

Can anyone give me any info for the State of Georgia I have searched the web but the information is really not revealing itself. thanks in advance

Financial assistance to care for loved ones at home seems to be available only in certain regions. Some regions have the PACE program, which , also specific to the region, can help a little or a lot. From my research, there is no national assistance program.
Perhaps if we all contact our legislators about this, programs like these will be available to all of us.

what a blessing this is ! would you know if alabama has a program?

I'd see a qualified estate attorney who knows CA laws and Medicare/Medicaid rules. Many states are now funding programs, with Federal help, that can pay caregivers, but it's still not universal. At least check with your State Aging Services site and see where help may be available. Don't we all wish we lived in MA at this point?

Carol

Is there a list of help we can recieve if our parents dont' qualify for medicaid? my mom has too much for medical but not enough to give me a break. It is very costly in california

JAQ, thanks for posing the question. It seems there are many of us in the same situation. We will all benefit from the input.

To everyone seeking reimbursement, GOOD LUCK!!!!! Rose

mip86, thanks for the response. I am gratefull for the information, and I will quickly check it out. I will post what I find out as it will be helpful to others.

MiindingOurElders (Carol), thanks for your response and the link. I went to the site, and I believe it to be a good one with lots of info. After I further review it, I will post my results.

PEACE2 (Kathy), welcome and I am also new to this message board, and it was my first post. It has been quite effective. So far I've gotten two responses very quickly and both have given me viable leads. Go for it, you deserve to get paid, as do we all. Hopefully, these leads will prove fruitful for all of us.

Peace2,
Welcome, we are all caregivers; you don't have to have them in your home to be a caregiver. I took care of mom and dad in their home for 3 years before dad dies and mom moved in with us.
Welcome!

You "fit in" totally. This particular topic many or may not suit you, though your input is great. Feel free to start a new topic, if you choose.

I'm glad you are making use of in-home care. Some of these agencies are wonderful. Home Instead has a good reputation, as do many others. This type of help works well for many.

It does cost money, but it is worth it for the sanity of the whole family. You remind me of some of the caregiving I did over the span of 20 years (total of seven people). I used nearly all of the help available at one time or another, though there is much more recognition of need now.

Welcome to the site. Browse topics or start your own. You've found a good place to share your wisdom and ask for support.
Carol

I HAVE JUST STARTED READING SOME OF THESE POSTS ON REIMBURSED FOR CARE OF ELDERLY PARENTS. MY PARENTS DO NOT LIVE WITH ME. THEY LIVE IN A CONDO 2 MINUTES FROM ME. ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT LIVE WITH ME, ME AND MY HUSBAND, ARE THE PRIMARY CAREGIVERS. WE TAKE THEM TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, TAKE CARE OF THEIR FINANCES, TAKE THEM FOOD SHOPPING, ETC. IT GOT SO EXHAUSTING, WE DID GET OUTSIDE HELP "HOME INSTEAD" THAT BRINGS IN A PERSON 3 HOURS A DAY, TWO TIMES A WEEK. THIS WOMAN, CLEANS THE HOUSE, GOES TO THE STORES, AND MY HUSBAND AND I FILL IN WHEN THEY NEED MORE FOOD. SHE ALSO TAKES THEM TO THE SENIOR CENTER ON A THURSDAY FOR 1 1/2 HOURS, AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT THEY NEED DONE, SHE DOES DO IT. I AM ALWAYS CHECKING IN ON THEM WHETHER IT BE BY PHONE OR DRIVING OVER TO THEIR CONDO. ANY REPAIRS, ETC. THAT NEED TO BE DONE, MY HUSBAND DOES, OR IF I CAN DO IT, I WILL. NOW THAT THE SUMMER IS HERE I ALSO MAKE TIME TO TAKE HER TO THE POOL, AND SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH HER. EVERY SUNDAY, THEY COME TO MY HOUSE FOR DINNER, AND TODAY, I WILL TAKE HER TO THE POOL IN MY DEVELOPMENT. DO I FIT IN TO ANY OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT HAS BEEN ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, OR IS THIS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR PARENTS LIVING WITH THEM. MY STEP-FATHER IS 97 YRS OLD, AND MY MOTHER IS 88 YRS, WHO DOES HAVE THE BEGINNINGS OF DEMENTIA. MY STEP-FATHER IS ALSO UNABLE TO PAY BILLS, DRIVE, AND BASICALLY THEY NEED SOMEONE TO OVER SEE THEM, AND BE THERE FOR MANY THINGS AS WELL AS SEEING TO IT THAT THEY ARE SAFE. KATHY

The government is getting wiser about this. Train the family or get in-home help as long as possible. Much cheaper than a nursing home. It takes time to change the focus, and each state has different rules, but this sounds like a great plan. Thanks mip86.
Carol

I live in AZ. In the county I live in you contact "Pima County on Aging". Try typing or calling the name of your county and then "County on Aging" and you should get some help. I know several people, relatives and friends who take a two day course to get certified and then get paid to take care of elderly person instead of someone from an agency.

It costs $5000 per month to live in a nursing home so the government will do anything to keep people at home.

ItalianRlose, try http://www.pascenter.org/state_based_stats/medicaid_waivers_info.php?state=arizona

There are lots of categories on the left side. If none of this fits, you may find links to other agencies that can help you. There's a link to their main state Web site, too.
Carol

Still waiting for any info about Arizona, I need some help.

Also, if anyone out there is from Illinois, I do know they have a program there as a friend of mine got paid $l,500.00 a month to care for her mother in her home in Chicago. However, I don't know the particulars and I have no way to contact my friend.

Mass. is awesome!
Carol

It's very, very discouraging, I know. My heart is with you. But it's worth doing. Make sure it's the right agency, to begin with, but your state aging services should be able to point you there.

Best of luck with this. It shouldn't be so hard, but it is, especially when you want to go back. You may need an attorney.
Carol