I plan to sell her house to provide funds for her care. She is in a board and care and doing ok, but may need memory care in the future. How should I plan now for her future care?
GordonC: Yes, your plan to sell her house is a good idea. Your sister as the principal in Power of Attorney may need to set up an alternate POA IF she is still coherent as you have health issues. She may require memory care sooner than you think
Your plan to get funds for her care by selling her house is a good one. Consider memory care/skilled nursing now. I only say this because of your own state of health. It may be better for her to be in a place where she can stay safely for the rest of her life. Did she set up a secondary POA in the case where you might not be capable of overseeing her care at a future time? If she didn't, there is even more reason to have her in a place where she will not have to move. Memory care facilities can handle people with all stages of dementia. Some facilities might also have assisted living, if she has only mild dementia, but do look for a place that can handle all conditions that might be worse than what she now has. My mother was in a continuing care facility and they advised me when she needed higher levels of care, right to the very end, and they did the moves from one unit to another. The advantage of a memory care facility is skilled staff that understand the different stages of dementia and provide appropriate activities, 24/7 nurses on staff and the nurses can order medical equipment as needed, for example, if she needs a walker, etc. at a future time. All the best to you and your sister!
I say sell her home. But it would depend on how far she is into her Dementia if I moved her from the Board and Care. Some people go to MC too soon. They are able to realize that the majority of residents are worse off than they are and can't communicate so it becomes lonely for them.
The cost of MC is expensive. Her money may last longer allowing her to stay in the Board and Care until they feel her care is becoming too much for them. This is a talk you can have with the Director. If she is doing well, I would not move her. People suffering from Dementia do not do well with change.
I agree with you. I have seen far too many people end up in MC too early and it is horrible - horrible! And when finally in need of MC, you have to research in person, and make sure you can show up at meal times, and in the early evening (based on my observations, this is when short-staffing is most apparent). One more thing to check on, the activities provided, including music in the residents' rooms. Many MC facilities short change residents when it comes to activities and truly personal attention. One needs to be able to visit at least 3 times a week to ensure the care is at least adequate.
Sell her house, place her in MC, ASAP after you close on her house, don't wait, this disease is very unpredictable the shade can roll down at any time.
If you have a lot of health issues and you are becoming overburdened I would suggest looking into licensed fiduciary to manage care for a fee. An Elder Law Attorney works with fiduciaries through the court system for folks without relatives who become wards of the state, so will be able to give you a list of trusted names. Be certain you don't mistake what I mean with a financial advisor. Those folks sell annuities and such for a commission and you definitely do not want to be on their radar.
Sell the house now. Put the money in FDIC savings earning 5% or more. That way upkeep of a house that she’s never going to live in again won’t be costing her money (taxes, repairs, etc.) That’s a big responsibility off you.
It’s better to go to memory care sooner rather than later so they can adjust and have friends before they have worsening symptoms. You should visit several memory care facilities so you’ll have time to choose the one best suited for her.
Your own health issues may keep you from doing all of this if you wait too long. Have a plan in place ASAP.
The cost of MC is expensive. Her money may last longer allowing her to stay in the Board and Care until they feel her care is becoming too much for them. This is a talk you can have with the Director. If she is doing well, I would not move her. People suffering from Dementia do not do well with change.
Wish you the best!
Good luck!
It’s better to go to memory care sooner rather than later so they can adjust and have friends before they have worsening symptoms. You should visit several memory care facilities so you’ll have time to choose the one best suited for her.
Your own health issues may keep you from doing all of this if you wait too long. Have a plan in place ASAP.
Good luck!