Assisted living would be the ideal, and it is the normal step-up from Independent Living. She would there have her "level of care plan" instructions as to exactly what her needs ARE: Help with getting OOB (out of bed)? Help with dressing? Help with meds and showering? Help with being called to the communal dining? Help with menu? Help with continence, and etc.
The "levels of care" are normally from 1 to 4 or 5 and they are charged accordingly. So there is the normal room charge, meal charge (if no special diets) and then the level of care charge. If a resident needs very little and is basically self-caring, that's level one. But in w/c (wheelchair) or needing help with dressing, mobility, showering, medications, continence, that is level four, and much more expensive.
What currently is status for your mother? Does she live alone? With family? In care? Have you explored Board and Care versus ALF in terms of her assets, abilities?
You look for AL that accepts Medicaid. Most facilities that accept Medicaid want the resident to be "private pay" for a t least 2 years before Medicaid. Just in case while you are looking find a facility that not only has AL but MC and SNF. (Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing Facility)
It’s been my experience that because IL expects people to be independent, that they require that a resident has to be able to get up from bed or a chair by themselves in case of fire. They don’t have staff to get people out of bed , you would need a 24/7 aide there in case of fire , which would be a lot of money .
Therefore, the next step for your Mom is potentially AL , ( assisted living ) . By me , some AL’s are willing to keep residents longer than others , as they decline , before having a resident leave to go to SNF ( skilled nursing facility) nursing home . AL is typically private pay , although some states Medicaid will help. SNF can be paid by Medicaid after the spend down .,
Nobody gets to decide when they are “ ready for a nursing home “ . The level of help a person requires determines where they live .
Facilities of all levels will evaluate a potential resident to see if they can provide the level of care your mother needs. The AL’s will decide if they will take your mother . If she needs too much help they will recommend SNF . Typically AL requires that a resident needs to be able to stand from bed or chair ( or toilet ) with the assistance of one aide to help them pivot to wheelchair ( and reverse back to bed).
If you don't feel she's ready for a real change yet, just a little assistance, talk to the medicaid social worker about hiring an aide to come in to her apartment to help her. Assisted Living would be the next step.
If she needs help getting out of bed, she will need help with other things. She will need skilled nursing facility - which takes Medicare and Medicaid.
She would likely move from Independent Living to Assisted Living. The names speak for themselves. If mom is in Independent Living self pay then she will likely be able to afford AL at the same facility. You could also explore Board and Care or "six packs" as they are nicknamed for their usual six patients. She would have a more homelike atmosphere there. Some are self pay but some do accept Medicaid. It's time now to speak with the Admins where she is and get recommendations, if you feel mom will soon require more assistance than she has in IL.
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The "levels of care" are normally from 1 to 4 or 5 and they are charged accordingly. So there is the normal room charge, meal charge (if no special diets) and then the level of care charge.
If a resident needs very little and is basically self-caring, that's level one. But in w/c (wheelchair) or needing help with dressing, mobility, showering, medications, continence, that is level four, and much more expensive.
What currently is status for your mother? Does she live alone? With family? In care?
Have you explored Board and Care versus ALF in terms of her assets, abilities?
Wishing you good luck on this journey.
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Therefore, the next step for your Mom is potentially AL , ( assisted living ) . By me , some AL’s are willing to keep residents longer than others , as they decline , before having a resident leave to go to SNF ( skilled nursing facility) nursing home . AL is typically private pay , although some states Medicaid will
help. SNF can be paid by Medicaid after the spend down .,
Nobody gets to decide when they are “ ready for a nursing home “ . The level of help a person requires determines where they live .
Facilities of all levels will evaluate a potential resident to see if they can provide the level of care your mother needs. The AL’s will decide if they will take your mother . If she needs too much help they will recommend SNF . Typically AL requires that a resident needs to be able to stand from bed or chair ( or toilet ) with the assistance of one aide to help them pivot to wheelchair ( and reverse back to bed).
After Medicare covered rehab, she briefly entered AL, fell and after hip surgery, went to rehab in a SNF and became e along term there
If you don't feel she's ready for a real change yet, just a little assistance, talk to the medicaid social worker about hiring an aide to come in to her apartment to help her.
Assisted Living would be the next step.
The names speak for themselves.
If mom is in Independent Living self pay then she will likely be able to afford AL at the same facility.
You could also explore Board and Care or "six packs" as they are nicknamed for their usual six patients. She would have a more homelike atmosphere there. Some are self pay but some do accept Medicaid.
It's time now to speak with the Admins where she is and get recommendations, if you feel mom will soon require more assistance than she has in IL.