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I am assuming that you are spending down for medicaid. I went to an elderlaw attorney for advise some years ago. My mom didn't have enough money to do anything fancy but he suggested getting a prepaid funeral plan which can use up $10,000 or more. We built a room onto our house for my mother which used up a sizable amount. That was 7 years ago, so it is beyond the look back period. My mom wanted all new furniture and art supplies at that time, so I did that for her too. I believe you can buy a car in their name. Really, if there is a sizable amount of money that has to be spent in a short amount of time, an elderlaw attorney should be consulted. Their consultation is usually around $300.
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We did double--- by spending for a house painter who was REAAAAAALLLLLY slow in his work. He painted, Dad was not alone in the house.
Put a roof on the house.
Printed and archived family history items, the right way.
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terrimerritts, I know that you see fraud and greed everywhere. The spend-down aspect of qualifiying for Medicaid EXPECTS a bunch of money to be spent just prior to applying. There are things that should not be done with the money and many things that are perfectly acceptable.

Unless you can offer more specific suggestions about "beinging careful" you are Jnot being helpful. just throwing the word "fraud" around is scary, not useful.
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My suggestions are:
- funeral and burial plan. All prepaid and with NO CASH VALUE. The NCV part is important as a cash value one will have to be cashed in as an asset under Medicaid rules. The funeral homes know how to do this correctly. This should run about 8K - 10K. $$$$
- small term life insurance policy. Again all prepaid and NCV. If they are in their 80's or 90's, the policy will almost cost it's value, but, it is a way to have less $ on spend down and then have a small amount to spend for items that aren't covered by the funeral burial policy, like flowers or cards. Most states limit this to $ 1,500.00 for Medicaid review.$$
- multiple eyeglasses and hearing aids. This stuff literally walks out of their rooms.
Medicaid doesn't really cover this.$$
- dental care. Again this is spotty on Medicaid coverage. We did endodonics for my mom and other dental work. Dental alone could be several thousand dollars. Also if she seems to be the type that will need further dental care see if they will do a gift card for future care.$ - $$$$
- walker. Medicaid covers the traditional "U" shaped walker...the kind that get's tennis balls on its feet. Hugo's and other styles not covered so you can buy those and spend down on that.$$
- if they still own their home, pay for needed repairs, in advance on utilities, insurance,taxes, pay off the mortgage. Remember once they are in the NH and on Medicaid all their income less whatever is their states personal needs allowance must be paid to the NH. There will be NO $$ to pay on the house, so family will need to pay for whatever is needed @ the house forever.$ - $$$$
- new easy to get into and easy to care for clothing. Clothes that can take the beating that the NH laundry (super hot) can take. Most of my mom's once lovely wardrobe was destroyed in short order as the laundry is done by heavy duty machines. $$
- new and easy to use TV. The NH TV's seems to be either vintage and heavy TV's that require more than 1 remote or simple mounted flatscreen with a single remote. Check on prepaying for cable if not included. $
- several pairs of SAS or other super sturdy shoes. The SAS ones are ugly but it seems the old ladies just love these shoes. $$

Whatever you do mark everything - I use brightly colored nail polish with my mom's initials on all. Also it embeds into plastic so stuff eventually finds it's way back into my mom's room even the remote control.
- if your parent is a reader, do a couple of years of large or regular print magazine subscriptions, like Readers Digest, Portals of Prayer. $
- car is a possibility, but keep in mind, like on having the house, they will not have the $ to pay for insurance or repairs on the car as all their income goes to the NH. If they have a car and they give or gift it away it could trigger a transfer penalty which is a total PIA to deal with. Vehicle ownership is easily traceable as it all is recorded by the state. Personally I can see the use for a car for when you are in IL or AL but not for NH.

I switch out my mom's clothes 3 times a year, so that she doesn't have too much stuff to worry about in her room, closet or in her drawers. Roughly about 1/3 of her clothes and personal stuff has vanished, again, that's just what happens. If I would have known, I would have bought LOTS more clothes, shoes and especially panties and camisoles before she entered the NH and just stored them till needed. Good luck and have fun shopping.
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What a useful list, igloo572! When I was doing spenddown Hubby was at home (and in fact still is, 8 years later) and spending down for living in a facility is a little differet. I really like the suggestions about plenty of extra clothes, shoes, glasses, etc. Things do disappear in NHs and especially in memory units, and it is good to accept that and plan for it.

And the subscriptions to large print magazines and prepaid cable are also great ideas.
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unt was into tv or reading. at 106 she just seems to sleep or stare out window.I have been buying her some new clothes. I do plan to get her funeral don next week. I made a copy of your response so I would not forget them. Thanks again, Boola907
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Boola907...did you say 106?
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Wow, this is very good information...didn't know anything about this. When I came to my mom's, there was hardly anything in her fridge or pantry, and everything she has is so ancient that it needed total overhaul. I started feeling guilty for going out and buying new livingroom chairs for us to sit in..she had 3 cushions in her chair and both her elbows had sores on them from no padding on the arms. Boy do I feel sooo much better now. She never wanted to spend a penny on anything. Thanks for this info!
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momag Yes she is 106 and still has a good days and some bad days. Was living at home by herself untill 4 months ago. Could not get up any longer out of wheel chair we think she might have had a little stroke. when she went in nh all the meds she took was a blood pressure pill and fluid pill. Very amazing woman I'm so sorry she had to go to nh.
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How amazing! She must be so frail by now. Well, I think Igloo gave you a lot of ideas. Best of luck with all that you are doing for her. Wow...106, just can't get over it! God love her!
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