How does the 50% of cash assets rule apply in the state of Michigan? Is $115920 the minimum amount allowed or is up $115920 for 50%?

everyday, I was just responding to readytogo's question - people seem to think they can put their parent in a nursing home without paying for it and/or without anything happening to their property, which isn't going to happen if you go on Medicaid; they're going to attach the property and like somebody said on here, I think they're getting more aggressive about actually taking it, which could be a problem for them if they want her son to continue to live in it - without paying for it - he could always buy it to pay for her care because even if he does if her care isn't paid for with the proceeds they'll still go after it because of the look-back period so I do understand it seems as if nobody prepares for this - well, not nobody because some people actually do very aggressively but that's another situation but I get the idea they haven't and not sure how soon she's thinking in terms of her mother having to go; she said she already has dementia and is living with her, so not sure what she's thinking the issue is, that she's not going to be able to keep her with her much longer - something probably should have been done when she moved her in with her but doesn't matter now, so yes I do understand - don't have any idea how much her property's worth - so how long it would pay for, just know it would have to be done before could get Medicaid, if that's what you're saying - would you seriously consider sending your parents to Mexico?

I have been caring for my husband for 9 years after his stroke at age 59. I worked full time till 3 years ago. I am now paying about $1800 a month for a little help each day to gGet him up, put him to bed, twice a week a person comes in to do a few things like exercise with him. Most of the time I am with him. I go out for errands and my water aerobic classes. If I don't exercise, I won't be healthy enough to keep caring for him. I have arthritis and some other health problems. We are now 68. I was advised to "just" get Medicaid and his care would be paid for. Yes, and we would have no money for other things . We would have to spend down. It is distasteful to me so I keep hanging on. We worked hard for years under great stresses. But now it just doesn't seem like that helped us much. If we were older, I would not be complaining so much. Living simply later on would be just fine. My husband is already declining in strength quite a bit. Now diabetes and he needs total care for making meals and his personal hygiene and driving him to his appointments. He is presently in his second session of "rehab" after short hospital stays. I dread the day he will not be strong or healthy enough to return home. chris

Is anyone (except the very, very wealthy) ready to private pay for a nursing home? If you are/were a hard working, bill paying member of the U.S., you will never be able to afford private pay. Anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000/month? If you didn't already know that, you have been blessed. Those of us who have gone or are going through this--have had their eyes opened and their spirits crushed. It's bad enough to see your parents going through this situation, but if it is a spouse--it is sad. Very very sad. I too need more information on care in Mexico. They must treasure their elderly.

readytogo, are you/she prepared to private pay for the nursing home?

Question: My mom with dementia is living with me in my mobile home. She gets $1100 per month.She owns a mobile home and 13 acres of land it sits on. My son lives in the mobile home. What will happen to the mobile home and land if she goes to a nursing home? We are in Georgia.

This is such a dad comentary of the state of healthy care in America. My dad is in the same situation regarding the spend down situation. It is mind boggling to me that in order to get some kind OS assistance u must divest yourself basically to an impoverished level . I am truly envious of the gentleman who took his wife to Mexico at a fraction of the cost if he stayed here with his wife.

I wish I had found this converation last summer. I have been struggling with so many questions on what to do...in addition to trying to keep up with my husband's care. Just now, in the past few months (since November), have I been comfortable knowing he is receiving good care and is stable with meds and going to the right doctors, etc. Patient lift but still able to use powerchair (PPMS). We've been paying almost $4,000 a month for his care in a group home. Every month, I pay this fee out of his IRA (and each month I cry). I only have a few months left in this account. I've been trying to qualify him for VA Aid and Attendance first, then eventually Medicaid. BUT. For both types of assistance, our "oh-so-many assets" are the barrier for him to qualify. How ridiculous. If we continue to private pay, I will not have enough to retire on (I'm 60; he is 71). We really don't have so many assets, as you know, but we would have to be improverished to qualify. So wrong. I really don't know which way to turn. Divorce? Seems like best option, but will I then lose my access to his income (SS and pension)? We use this to pay our other debts. I am working but need both incomes to pay debts. I do have an ElderCare attorney and a divorce attorney. I am making a list of questions for both, but wondered if anyone has first hand experience on what happened to their situation--whether a divorce helped or staying married and using the Medicaid planning options that are available. My EC atty has a plan, but it still means I lose quite a bit of money through the spend down effort. This situation is absolutely insane. The U.S. takes care of prisoners better than they do their elderly. I wish I could go to Mexico. Just not an option for me. Sorry I seem to be venting. I'm just lost. Hugs to all of you who are in the same type of situation. We need to unite.

How about divorce prior to Medicaid application as a means of protecting assets? For instance, if the joint assets are $400,000, and the couple divorce with each retaining $200,000, and maintaining thereafter totally separate asset accounting, Is the well spouse's $200,000 protected from Medicaid requirements of the sick spouse?

I just placed my wife last month in a memory care facility (nursing, NOT assisted living) in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The place has a large tropical garden and staff is working with her 24 hours a day. Because I met and married her in Mexico 42 years ago, she is more comfortable in that environment than she would be in the US. My cost? Less than $800 per month, vs. up to $8000 here. I am now able to go back to work, support my wife AND save for my own future! Over 82,000 Americans are now in residential care in Mexico. It's an option that needs to be explored more.

We live in Massachusetts. The local Area Agency for Agency is pushing to have spouse on medicaid.
Where do I get FREE advice on spending down. All finances are joint accounts.
Can she have both medicare/medex and medicaid (Mass health)

Where is the a list of bridge underpasses for me to live under (grrr) when I am impovished

Stargazer, thank you for kind response to my somewhat anguished remarks. I met and married my wife in Mexico many years ago, so I will be returning her to a care facility in her home town, a nice suburb of Mexico City where she has family who can look in on her. Once this heartbreaking task has been completed, I plan to write a magazine article which I hope can help other families in a similar situation. Mexico has a number of cities where American retirees are living and there are deluxe assisted living and Alzheimers facilities available at a fraction of the cost of the US. It may not work for everybody, but the word needs to get out about this opportunity, so that spousal impoverishment can be avoided.

It's a HUGE problem in this country that nobody is addressing! You find out when someone in your family needs 24/7 care, and what a shocker that you need to spend yourself broke before you get any assistance. The nursing homes are making a ton of money. Why can't we have a government run non-profit option?!?

This is utter nonsense. My wife is in late stages of early onset Alzheimers. I can't afford to care for her anymore without going back to work. How the hell am I supposed to work and save for my OWN future, if no matter how much I earn, I can only keep $1200-1300 per month of it? Please tell me where in the US one can live on a total of $1300 a month. This is obscene; to hell with the United States! There are long term care centers in Mexico which cost about $1200 a month for full service. I am going to have to place my wife there and come back to the US to go to work and get my own life back again.

My parents have no money and no income except 1300 per month in social security. My father does, however, have a farm in an LLC (he was a farmer), which can't be used for any other purpose other than a farm due to county regulations. I have been unable to sell the farm. Would my parents qualify for medicaid support since they both require 24 hour care?

I would like to know which states exempt an individual’s retirement accounts once they are paying out the minimum amount required under federal tax laws. This would be important for spouses planning to retire to another state - it would be worth it to choose one of those states.

Stargazer. NOt sure I would say that. But yes if you have all your money and assets seperated but you would have teo check with your state to see what may be different.

So you're better off being a domestic partner than a spouse if your partner needs to go to a nursing home?

Stargazer, If you mean domestic partners with no marriage involved, I beleive they only count the affected one's shares. You would have to check with the state in which you live because they are a little different.

How is the situation different for domestic partners who own a home and accounts in common with rights of survivorship?

I think it's terrible that our health system does not take care of the elderly like it does in other countries. You work all your life and the government takes it from you in one way or another. I do agree with the 50% rule as your money is your spouses.