Mom had enough funds to pay private AL through end of September. We met with Elder Law Attorney last week, I am now her POA and the Medicaid waiver is in process. So far, medically, she qualifies. The rest is in process. The lawyer said the money that was stolen (and given) this past year will not affect Medicaid as she was technically paying "her dues" for shelter and food living with her older daughter. Mom does not want to pursue charges as oldest daughter does not have ANY money to pay back, hence the reason mom was giving her money. That is now a moot point.
Another issue, we toured a Medicaid waiver facility and they said mom did not do well on the memory test. Anyone who went through the following would have trouble with a test at this point!
1) She is grieving over the loss of her 41 year old grandson who tragically died and she was very close to.
2) Has a history of severe depression
3) Traveled 800 miles in a car after staying in a hotel for 7 days because granddaughter removed her from AL out of state
4) Had not been taking medications due to the above
So all of this will affect memory but mom does not have dementia. In any case, the executive director is going to meet with the DON to discuss having mom back for a reassessment. Mom does not have dementia. At the private pay facility, she is in an apartment on her own, bathes, toilets and dresses without any assistance. She uses a walker and wheelchair (for long distances) and is unable to stand for long periods of time to cook or prepare meals, so she has 3 cooked meals a day and a nurse administers her medications. She not only sees a primary doctor regularly, she also sees a psychiatrist.
Can an AL facility deny a person based on a quiz of a few questions? Do they not require a medical diagnosis before denying someone?
It might help if you find the AL’s own rules and also any Medicaid rules that apply. You may feel angry about how this is working out for your mother, but you can’t force changes in either set of rules.
Why would you subject her to that test with all those issues going on?
An AL is not a memory care facility, and they have every right to know if a prospective resident had dementia. What do you think a medical diagnosis would entail? (Hint: They'd give her the same test.) Memory issues are not diagnosed with a blood test.
A letter from your Mom's MD may help. And yes, testing is difficult to ALL seniors, for certain; anxiety is the norm, not a rarity.
I sure do wish her good luck and am glad about the retesting.
And being in denial over it won't help her one bit. Instead have her tested by a neurologist if that would make you feel better and then start looking into the appropriate placement for her even if that means memory care.
You must do what is best for her in the long run.
Best wishes.
It’s good that she can have a reassessment, and I wish her luck.