I really appreciate all the great advice I have received concerning my dad. I am trying to get some information on the process of putting him in a nursing home. I have heard that the nursing home will take his home. Just wondering if that’s true or is there a certain process?
No, the NH does not take his home. It may seem like that because the NH, in order to get paid, helps the applicant fill out paperwork to get dad the care he needs through a government program with Medicaid. On that paperwork the fact that he owns a home will appear. A lien will be placed against the property by Medicaid, not the NH. When dad dies, if the lien is called, the house will need to be sold to satisfy ( pay off) the lien.
In some states if a family member has been giving care to the owner for a specified amount of time, then the lien is not called as long as the family member lives in the house. Of course the taxes, the insurance and all upkeep must be paid by the family member.
To find out your best course of action, contact a certified elder care attorney to help you navigate your father’s placement and your ability to retain his home if these are your circumstances.
Here is a link that might help you.
https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/legal/estate-recovery.html
"An applicant’s primary residence is exempt if it meets a few fundamental requirements. First, the home must be in the same state in which the owner is applying for Medicaid. Second, the applicant’s equity value in their home (fair market value minus debts if owned singly) must be valued at $595,000 or less, although some states use a higher limit of $893,000. California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, does not enforce a maximum equity value limit on primary residences. Third, the applicant must either continue residing in the primary residence or have an “intent to return home” if they are living in a nursing home."
KEY WORDS:
Have an intent to return home.
A home and a vehicle are both exempt assets for Medicaid, meaning that they can remain in Dad's name. A lien will be placed on the home which must be satisfied at dad's death.
Since ALL of dad's income (SS, pension, annuity) must be paid to NH as his "share of cost", any upkeep for the house (taxes, insurance, routine maintenance and repairs) must be funded by others.