My mom has vascular dementia and as result has severe short term memory. This illness prevents her from taking care of herself.

Thank you Jean for responding.

Thank you for responding and greatly appreciate your advice. We live in Texas and the cap for medicaid I believe is $14,200 for single. She only has her small home paid for and worth about $45,000. Her income is as follows: $1,025 TRS, $227 SSI, and $48 annuity which equals to $15,600. She's over with about $1,400 a year or $117 monthly. I would appreciate any advice.

Are you asking about Medicaid? (Are you in the US?) Does Mom own any assets? Property? Insurance Policies? Stock, bonds, etc? A savings account?

Medicaid requires a medical need, which it sounds like you mother has, and financial limits on income and assets. Often a person can qualify by "spending down" assets until they are under the limit. Being over the income limit can also be overcome in many cases.

Look up the Medicaid guidelines for your state/county. If they seem complicated or it appears Mom wouldn't qualify, then you would do well to contact an attorney specializing in Elder Law.

I think the application process when there is a spouse is pretty complex. But for a single person without much income or assets it is pretty straight-forward and you can probably do it yourself.

If you are not in the US, please tell us where you are.