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Sprmom12 Asked December 2020

Can a nursing home resident put money in an outside bank and have an account at the nursing home?

My friend was in an ACLF and was transferred to a nursing home. The ACLF wrote a check for his balance in his account. He doesn't want this amount of money in the nursing home. He wants a savings account in a bank. I'm not sure if he signed up for the home to recieve his monthy allowance because of this crazy pandemic and lockdowns. It's hard to get a visit and know what's going on. Is it ok to open a savings for him with the check? Can he have the 2 accounts at the same time? I am the only person he has to help. His parents are both in nursing homes.

Countrymouse Dec 2020
Assuming he's fine mentally he can do whatever he likes with his money; but I agree that it's a bad idea for you to get involved when you can't the information you need. There should be someone at the nursing home who is able to support him with carrying out his wishes, or at least directing him to someone who can.

mollymoose Dec 2020
Yes he can have a bank account. My mom has one. Your problem might be in getting this set up with the signing of forms, etc. with the restrictions in place because of COVID19.
Sprmom12 Dec 2020
Thank you for your answer! That is exactly what is happening with the pandemic restrictions. In a normal day I could pick him up and take him to a bank and he could set it up himself. It is very hard to see him and his phone isn't workin in his room. Its very frustrating

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MargaretMcKen Dec 2020
Anyone can have more than one bank account. However:
- A separate account shouldn’t be an attempt to hide money from Medicaid etc.
- The Nursing Home contract may have a clause about ‘no other accounts’, although it seems unlikely.
- The Nursing Home may want the monthly allowance paid into an account at the Nursing Home, so that they can deduct fees without having to present a bill (and sue if the bill isn’t paid). They should of course account for what is happening with the account, but may require a simple method to collect what is owed to them.
- If your friend simply wants to put this one check into a Savings Account, he should be able to phone a bank to request the paperwork to be posted to him, so that he can fill it out and post it back with the check. However Savings Bank interest is so low that there isn’t much to be gained.
- If your friend doesn’t trust the Nursing Home to hold his funds properly, it might be better not to get involved. Distrust can get a lot worse, and you don’t want to be part of it.
Sprmom12 Dec 2020
Thank you for your answer! My friend Dave will have his payment to the nursing home going straight to them and will have 130$ monthly spending money in an account at the home. His balance from the ACLF he transferred from cut a check and asked me to pick it up. This is the money he wants to use for a savings account. If it was any other normal day I would take him to the bank but the covid restrictions make it impossible. It's not to hide it from anyone he just feels better with a real bank. Im hoping I can talk to someone at the home. Thanku
AlvaDeer Dec 2020
I cannot know what kind of payment he is making to the nursing home. If he is self pay and has adequate assets he can do whatever he wants with them. You cannot act for him unless you are his POA, and I wouldn't advise that unless you know exactly what you are doing; there are legal ramifications. It sounds as though he himself is not clear on what he is paying, or on his assets. He should discuss this with his own advisor, whether attorney or Fiduciary. My advise would be not to get involved in anything financial in any way.

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