The Council on Aging, in Ohio, is encouraging my Mom to sign up with Passport. Is this a good thing?

I agree with JeanneGibbs. Great answer, as always!

Jeanne, your home state of Minnesota is number on is caring for its seniors (Forbes, USA Today). They also are, I believe, number three of productive use of health dollars.

I'm not putting this in here to detract from your spot on answer for Suegirl - just wanted to congratulate your state.

Carol

It sounds like Passport is just what Ohio called their in-home Medicaid program. In Minnesota, for example, it is called Elderly Waiver. It is an awesome alternative to going into a nursing home. Mom will be evaluated to see how much and what kind of in-home help she needs. This can include things like housekeeping, laundry, nursing services, a personal care attendant, etc. Here is also pays for incontinence supplies, some modifications of the home (such as installing grab bars and similar expenses). Here it pays for adult day care centers if that is suitable for the person. Considering that she has dementia it is pretty much a certainty that she will need increasing levels of care. Passport will probably not pay for 24/7 home care, because at that point it is more economical to pay for nursing home care. If she reaches that point then the regular Medicaid program will kick in.

I can think of no reasons not to have Mom sign up. After a Medicaid recipient dies the state attempts to be reimbursed for some of their expenses. This is through the sale of a home, if the recipient owned one. I think it would be a good idea to consult an Elder Law attorney to understand the status of the trust and any impact Medicaid/Passport would have on that.

I called My Mom and she said," everything you told us was exactly what the representive had to say. She disagreed about needing an Attorney, but for my part I would feel better consulting with one.

As to whether your interest in the home is effected, I'd say, in high likelihood it is. Depends what kind of trust was set up many years ago. If it's like mom's "trust," mom is the owner of the home (in a trust), and I am the contingent beneficiary of the trust when she dies. If that's the kind of trust your mom has, Medicaid will get the proceeds from the house sale because, in reality, your mom owns the house. They will put a lien on it and force the sale.

Take the trust document to an elder law attorney. That's where the real answer lies.

Depends on how trust is written.If it is her trust regardless of who trustee or beneficiary is - Medicaid could probably come after it.
If trust owns home (which it should) - then if Mom is just trustee (or co-trustee w/you and brother) and it was written given you and brother ownership of trust assets with Mom having life estate - then probably Medicaid could not attach.
You are right to seek advice from estate lawyer with experience in trusts.
They can look at your documents and you will be clear on where you stand.

Suegirl, you'll need to check the practices in your state. Here Medicaid covers dental and also hearing aids.

Will Passport pay for Mom new dentures. She's had tops since 18 ! Bottoms 20 years. She can't eat normal food.