Has anyone used a Medicaid Waiver?

Yes. We had a waiver for mom and dad. They both got approved for so many daily hours of homemaker and personal care services in the home. So many hours of respite in the home (what I'm finding hard for the agency I'm using to fulfill) or you could use some of the respite hours for adult daycare. With that being said, expect to still do most (cooking as an example). Plan for turnover and no-shows. So the Medicaid waiver tool can be helpful but it's not a perfect system.

Immediately, contact your Medicaid office! And, senior community services organization in your area. The two organizations working together will help you get the Waiver, and your life will be yours again. Caveat - it will take a lot of determination, patience, and paperwork to do this - but do not give up. It will take time to pull everything together so prepare for frustration. There are many records to get together, and of course, doctor's recommendation.

I live in Virginia and I was able to get 40 hours a week care, nurse visits, supplies, and emotional support.

It was difficult to find a good agency that takes Waiver but do diligence. Sometimes the ones that take it are not the best in terms of quality.

Good luck!

It is a great option if available in your state. I have helped residents go home on this program with nearly round-the-clock care. They must be nursing home eligible, qualify for Medicaid (many of who are nursing home residents) and have a safe place to go. Working with a family member now to qualify. The process takes time, so it won’t happen overnight. Good luck

We have it here in Iowa and have been trying to get it for my BIL but he isn't at the age for it they said he has to be 65 he is 64 so here we wait. BIL has dementia, seizures, and other issues also lives alone at his apartment. It will take some of your burden off of you. We wanted it for someone to go in the make breakfast, do his pills, his bp and sugars then come in by supper and do the same for him.

With Medicaid you have to pay them back after the person has passed away so watch that part. With my BIL when he passes we will have to pay the state back for all they have supplied for him. He has been on Medicaid now for 9 yrs so they will take any savings and life insurance they have until their bill is paid.

Medicaid pays someone to come in and do the chores for that person. To the person who does this they have to claim it on their taxes because its wages. I know this because I do taxes and have a few that come thru.

Prayers

In the state of Ohio, it is called passport. My mother-in-law had dementia and it would become too much for my father-in-law to do on his own. I called the council on aging in our state and found out about passport. She needed to qualify for Medicaid, which she did. So she was eligible for care in her home for hours per day six days per week. As she worsened, the hours per day increased. It was a lifesaver for my father-in-law at the time. Most states have two or three waiver or Medicaid at home options. Please do yourself a favor and see an elder care lawyer first thing as you start down this road. I hope you get the care you need for your love one

Apply for it. If she is low income and eligible, take it. Any of the in-home programs that exist to help people stay out of nursing homes will benefit you in the long run. Take available help.

We have Medicaid Managed Long Term Care here in NYS. It was great help with my mom (who had dementia and could not do anything at all for herself) a few years ago. So worth it. We got 7 hours of help a day from that so they got her up and put her to bed and everything in between. That was before the employee shortages of course. I think it is difficult now to get people, at least where we are. So I am now thinking that, depending on how much help my dad will need, he may have to stay in a nursing home because of the shortages in help from these homecare agencies.

The local Visiting Nurse association recommended and helped us apply for my mother. We had to first fill out the Medicaid application and have an in home evaluation of my mothers abilities to perform activities of daily living (ADL’s). She was determined eligible due to dementia but her ineligible for Medicaid (we knew that) her income was more than the requirements. But, she was eligible for a partial benefit. Small amount but worth it.

I had to find a caregiver agency that takes Medicaid waiver patients. The aides are paid by Medicaid but at a smaller fee than normal aides.

The waiver usually only offers a small amount support. Many of the programs that offer in home support are having challenges providing the staffing needed to support the client load. Call your local area agency on aging and see if they have any information that could help your mom to age in place.