My mom (80) lives on her own in an apartment, with no diagnosis. She is struggling with what I think is dementia. She is having memory problems with simple tasks like changing the channel or charging her phone. Other than that, she is a very energetic and active person.
It sounds like assisted living would be the best place to start with memory care unit attached for the possible future. That way she won't have to move twice except to the other end of the facility.
And after you get your list of ones you think may work, you go visit them in person along with your mom to see what she thinks.
But just remember NO place is perfect, even the most expensive ones, so set your expectations accordingly.
1. Much about choosing care has to do, most naturally with assets. Most Assisted living facilities and Memory Cares are privately or corporately or HedgeFund owned and they are for profit. They often don't accept Medicaid patients. They require self pay and are expensive.
2. The admission as a resident depends upon their ability to pay and upon what level of care they qualify for. If they suffer from any dementia then an exam from docs will need to be evaluated as to what level of care they require.
3. If you use an organization like A Place for Mom they will have you submit forms about assets and about needs of your elder.
You can instead start by visiting senior facilities in your area. You will be welcome to look around on the website, but information about levels of care and their costs will require an appointment visit.
So you can start on your own or with the help of someplace like A Place For Mom. If the latter becomes "pesky" a way to get rid of them is to tell them Mom lost all her assets and is on Medicaid.
As to Medicaid Facilities, that is a whole world of research awaiting you.
We sure wish you luck.
You have to start somewhere, so start online would be my recommend, and change your search methods to more nearly match your needs as you go along.
Hope you will update us on this adventure/journey as it's how we learn and share with/from one another.
can help you with that .
This Agingcare website has a Find Care tool as well . Go to the home page .
You can also call your Mom’s County Area Agency of Aging to come out and do a needs assessment . Look on the county website for something with a similar title under services for Aging .
As far as affordability . If Mom is very active she would not be a candidate for SNF which Medicaid would pay for if Mom has no money . Mom would most likely start out in Assisted Living and progress to memory care , both of which is mostly private pay . Some states will help pay through Medicaid at some point for Assisted Living , memory care , but many don’t . Typically elderly people’s homes are sold , and their own funds are used to pay for assisted living level of care .,
To make things less confusing for my Aunt, my brother and I saw the facilities first and then had my Aunt check out the one that we thought fit her the best. If she didn't like it, she could have seen the next best fitting facility. We took notes, so we could keep them all straight. We toured 6 before showing her one.
It was a whirlwind for us. Our Aunt was in Florida, being discharged from hospital and neighbors informed us that her old trailer was in no shape to return to. We flew from other states to Florida on a Friday and by the next Thursday she was moving to her Assisted Living facility. We could not have figured our which places to contact without A Place For Mom. The contact person from that agency even followed up with us.
* Call facilities and tell them you want information (in the mail ... if you want ... brochures, fee sheet, etc.) AND / OR set up appt to visit and get all the needed information.
* She may need to be in Assisted Living (AL) vs independent living.
Do you live close by ... so you can go with her?
Gena / Touch Matters
Second
Can mom afford a caregiver that would come in daily or maybe every other day (if mom is safe at home alone)
The caregiver can help out with some of the things mom is having problems with.
You can get "Alexa" to change the channel on the TV.
I have learned with Alexa you can "drop in" on mom and make sure she is alright. She can also contact you easily by saying Alexa call Kims189.
A caregiver can prepare meals, laundry and light housekeeping.
If mom is not safe at home and it is determined she has dementia the safest place would be Memory Care as most of them are locked facilities. You would not want her wandering out or taking the van to go shopping and getting lost.
If mom would be safe in Assisted Living that might be an option.
The best thing would be to tour a few facilities and they can evaluate mom.
Many facilities would also allow a Respite Stay to see how she likes the community.
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