My LO is in later stage 4 of Alzheimer's. I'm caring for him at home with my daughter, both of us get very frustrated. Any advice?

Drosie:
Thinking of you. Have you any updates for us after visits to VA and etc. Wishing you well.

Speak with Elder Law Attorney

We have a trust and our house is paid in full. Our CFP said in Nevada, one has to pay down to $145,000 ti a facility and at the point the patient goes on medicaid. The house is not touched. Years ago. the surviving spouse lost everything to pay the facility costs but not now.

Ask for assistance from the VA Hospital near you. There are facilities for veterans that need skilled nursing care and memory care. Your local VA Hospital can help you with locating and getting him a placement. Otherwise, use the assistance of the case manager or social worker in your local hospital when he needs hospital care.

DrosieD: Retain an elder law attorney.

Since Medicaid is for people (poor people) with limited income and resources, I doubt that your husband would qualify for benefits because you stated that he has Social Security income, military pension, and VA pension. It seems like your husband is above the criteria for Medicaid.

You need to consult with an elder law attorney who is well versed on how Medicaid works to see if there’s a way for your husband to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

So you want all the marital assets and the income and to have the taxpayers pay the bills? Good luck with that.

Just and FYI, you can NOT get both full VA and medicaid benefits. You will lose all but 90.00 of VA benefits if you double dip and get medicaid.

As far as your daughter needing his assets to survive, she really should have a job for that.

I pray for you it is so tough...I made it to late Stage 6 with my husband's Alzheimer's but only with the strength of God before I realized he needed
to be safer and needed more care. I had to take him to a Memory Care 6 months ago and mentally it is still a struggle everyday watching over the facility and how they deal with residents. This is suppose to be a top facility but I still have to use my savings and pay a caregiver to go several hours a day and make sure he gets fed. I am there every other day and watch everything that takes place. I went the Elder Atty route but when it came time to utilize their suggestions the Medicaid places are very limited and most of them are pitiful. That is why most people end up paying for home health. The system is broke.

This question comes up every now and then and it is sad to see it. We are the richest country on Earth, but we have a terrible healthcare system. I am not suggesting that we should pay $0 for healthcare and expect premier services, but do we need to go bankrupt just to care for sick ones?

I am just venting …. I need my coffee.

The trust is for after he dies, not who pays his bills now. Two separate things. My mom has a trust to stipulate who gets what when she dies, it has nothing to do with who pays her bills while she is alive. Mj1929 is correct.

Please look for a certified eldercare attorney. Pricey but worth it.

A living trust protects you from probate, not from paying your bills.

Make a telephone appointment with a VA medical representative. He/She can give you the best advice for your situation and help you with information about facilities near you.

It is time to discuss your situation with an social worker/attorney that specializes in elderly affairs. Do it now so that you know what your choices are and can put a plan together.

In addition, look at places where you might be able to place your husband. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming.

Once you know of your choices and a possible plan or plans, your stress levels will go down considerably, even if you do not take any action on the plan.

((HUGS))

With his SS, military pension and VA pension, your husband may be over the assets allowed for Medicaid. If the VA pension is Aid and attendance, you can't use that and Medicaid too. Both government money and Medicaid usually pays more.

As said, this is really an elder lawyer thing. One who is not just versed in Medicaid but VA rules too.

Drosie, a living Trust doesn't mean your loved one can get Medicaid. Only an irrevocable trust, that has basically some time ago given away the assets to the trust does that. You honestly now need an attorney. If you are POA you should attend an elder law attorney with a copy of your papers and his Trust. If the trust is in his name as Trustor and Trustee then those assets belonging to the Trust pay for his care.

I was made Trustee of Trust for my brother when he had a diagnosis of probable early Lewy's Dementia. His assets were all drawn into his Trust, including his checking account which was titled "In the Trust of (his name). He made me the Trustee. I paid all his bills for Assisted Living and etc. our of this Trust.
When any work is done making out papers for Medicaid or for VA, your husband's Trust is listed as titled I do believe.

Because this knowledge is CRUCIAL to get right I recommend you see an attorney. This is not something you can afford to make a mistake on. Please see an elder law attorney because the opinions of people on a forum are just that, opinions.

Drossie, Medicaid is very State-specific. Medicaid and VA benefits are complicated. Applying for Medicaid benefits when there is a "community spouse" involved make things even more complex

You REALLY need to get a well qualified elder law attorney in your state who understands how these systems work.

Most Memory Care facilities are private pay and do not accept Medicaid. I believe you'd do well to look at VA facilities and at NHs with dementia units.

This is SO not a question for the internet. Let me be the first to say: get a reputable elder care lawyer, and ask him/ her! Well worth whatever the hourly fee is. You cannot navigate this alone.