How can mom live on a $45 per month stipend after facility/Medicaid absorbs her SS income?

Talk to the nutritionist and case manager at her facility about her meals, to find out whether they can make adjustments to prevent the diarrhea. Hopefully they will be able to make adjustments so that she can eat the meals there. Has she been losing weight? The best clothes at a senior facility are comfortable clothes and linens that can go through a laundry of hot water and a hot dryer (no dry cleaning or hand washing). They are rough on laundry. The clothes should be easy to get on and off (pull-on pants, no little buttons, or tight collars, etc.) You can connect to a local social worker to find out if she is getting all of the benefits she is entitled to. There may be other programs that she can benefit from. I think it's only in skilled nursing facilities where they provide bed linens, blankets and toiletries. Maybe you can get her personal toiletries online and save money. Same with her clothes and linens. One odd thing with facilities is that often people seem to get clothes that are not their own clothes. When my aunt was in rehab a pink sweatshirt with a bear on it showed up in her dresser drawer, and white jeans, etc. - things she would never buy on her own! The same thing happened with my mother. All the best to you both!

A lot will depend on the state she is in as well as the quality of the facility itself. My mother is in a continuing care retirement facility in PA where Personal Care is private pay only (nearly all situations in this state). However, she is in Skilled Nursing which is private pay or Medicaid (which she is) and it is absolutely wonderful...a true lifesaver. It is a non-profit corporation with a large endowment for residents in need (like my Mom). The staff are attentive and professional, food choice and the quality of three meals daily plus beverages and snacks are excellent and activities for the residents are well planned and executed. Mom receives practically everything that she needs which is a combo of her SS income/Medicaid which equates to about $12,000.00 per month of expenses if it were private pay! She receives the $45.00 monthly which is mainly for favorite snacks, gift shop and beauty shop. I store all of her clothing at my house and switch them out according to seasons. Also, my husband and I gift her on occasions with clothing or footwear, but the facility provides free to her incontinence pads, toiletries, paper products, basic bedding, etc. We have taken extra blankets, a dorm style fridge, decor, but Mom knows she needs to consume the food and drinks from there because it's all included like an all-inclusive resort. Her laundry and room cleaning are done daily as well as med management and 24/7 care, it's a "God send". AND, free transport to all her outside appointments: specialty doctors, dental, department of transportation for ID, etc. Additionally she sees the in-house GP 1-2X/month and receives all her tests, i.e. blood work, on a regular basis. And to top it all off, she now has a private room after initially sharing a room (which honestly I believe is supported by the endowment. Your Mom will be assigned a Social Worker which can help fill in the gaps between departments and provide more information on the benefits she may be entitled to I hope this info helps and if so, feel free to ask any questions on your mind. Hugs to you!

My husband is in Hospice. They are suppose to supply everything...but the Hospice we have ration supplies. There is never enough of everything especially diapers and wipes and meds. After we told them that we were going to change Hospice providers if they did not improve, they started sending us what we need.

All needs are provided...basic needs. No more out of pocket medical expenses. 45 is very little for things you might like her to have, so over and above that comes from family or friends. Those who have no family do with out any extras.
Now is time to let family know. Birthday Christmas or other times people would gift, paying for a haircut, new PJs or day clothes is more practical now.
If mobility is issue, clothing styles will also change. Set up an Amazon wish list with specific things mom likes and clothes that fit (so correct neck style, sleeve type, button or snap closure) and as soon as someone asks if she needs anything, send a link to an item.
You might want to share a group email to let family know about the $45 and ask if they might be interested in several of you putting your names on a bank acct and use gifts in the acct for things she might need. Keep receipts and provide donors with spending updates....maybe a pic of her wearing new outfit. Clothes get lost in facility care quite often so replacing will be ongoing. The days of World's Best Mother coffee mugs are over. Practicality is key for misc items now