Are there resources for finding care help when they don't qualify for Medicaid? We need someone to stay with LO at least 5 days a week.

If she doesn’t qualify for Medicaid then you aren’t going to find free care. There is no free care available unless it’s provided by family members. If you hire someone, they have to be paid at least minimum wage for all hours work. If you choose to pay salary then by federal law, they must be paid a minimum of $684 a week. If your mother is unwilling to pay for the care she needs then perhaps it’s time to move to assisted living.

This averages $4.38 an hour. The least it would be, and that is private pay, is $400 a week at $10 an hour. And CNAs are worth more than that.

If the person has assets to pay for care, she will not be able to qualify for help. DHs cousin is going thru this now. His Mom has 30k to her name plus SS which pays her living expenses. He has to spend the 30k down before he can get any help. He needs at least 8hrs a day but has been told 4 is the maximum thru Medicaid. He runs his own business and is not old enough to retire.

Hmm...if she has too many assets to qualify for Medicaid then she may not qualify for any other in-home help from social services but it's worth a try. She won't get full-time help or help with everything she needs even if she does. Ask her what she's basing the $175 number on? Is this just a random amount? You can help her best by giving her the evidence that this is not a realistic number for 2020 by calling up agencies and having them quote her hourly rates, or looking on craigslist, etc. Good luck!

Yes, there are federal resources that you can access through the local Area on Aging Agency and they will help you through the process of getting your mom on the wait list. They will do a needs assessment over the phone (it can be with you, I did my mom's) and it takes about 45 mins. They ask a lot of questions about the needs of the elderly person to zero in on the type of help needed.

This elderly person only wants to pay $175 a week, for 5 days of care?? Not going to happen!