We finally started the process for IHSS for my MIL (dementia) & FIL (Alzheimer’s). We didn’t know we could get help like this. Hubby and I currently do EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING. They just eat. FIL does need help to eat. I’m worried my MIL is not on board or understands how IHSS works, we’ve explained numerous times but for her sanity to prove she can do stuff on her own, she lies to everyone that she still cooks, pay bills, cleans, etc.! We don’t want to look like we're lying when the social worker comes for the application process. We're terrified, literally. We debated to do this. MIL is brutal, lies to Drs that she’s ok. Says that we mistreat her, etc. Her paranoia is taking over her. 2 weeks ago, she blamed hubby for calling 911, she didn’t answer us because of the pain & this was her last admission to Hospital, we think it was dementia flare up?? Is there?? Hospital Drs admitted her for
(5150-psych) for altered consciousness & diagnosed of dementia. That’s why SServices got involved. They said we can get paid for caregiving them. It’s makes perfect sense why she is the way she is but no one believes us what truly goes on at home!!
During the interview will she have to be present or what will happen?
I have pictures, videos and docs of everything... God forbid one day she lies of anything we have proof!! It’s sad but we need to protect us from her lies. It has happened before!!
Hospital put her on seroquil for rage and aggression but primary Dr took her off “again”. Why?? When on meds she was a happy, alive & very spirited person!!
Now she back!! It helped her tremendously... Why is Dr doing this?? I’m truly scared to get help, but we definitely need help for us or hire someone to relieve us from verbal abuse! Thanks my againgcare family <3
The takeaway is that it was $200 month for ostensibly 25 hours of care per week. When you are living with two dementia patients, that’s more like 168 hours.
ICD-10s are medical codes that describe what the health issue is and how billed. Like Z74.09 is “limited range of motion” so they might not be able to on their own get in & out of the shower, or walk by themselves. Anyways a list will be done. Then afterwards list is used to produce a care plan with # of hours allowed. Having a lot of hours may seem to be what you want…
BUT
watch what you wish for….. IHHS will have a maximum # of hours that is OK (maybe under 28-32 hrs per week) cause if it goes over then their care is best off being done in a facility as they are at or closer to needing 24/7 oversight. I’d be somewhat concerned that 1 of them will be ok for inhome and 1 of them will be evaluated to need skilled nursing care in a facility. If that happens then that elder has to apply for LTC Medicaid which is a way way different program & as they are a married couple the regulations and asset division for a couple all come into pay and it is not ever a DIY. If it’s looking like FIL needs NH and she’s ok for inhome, find an elder law atty ASAP and before ever actually starting and going onto either Medicaid program.
Your Mil & FIL should each be interviewed on her own. You probably will be asked to not be in the room but can listen. If she’s obviously lying, make notes and discuss with the evaluation team as you walk outside with them to their car. They are prettty savvy, so recognized “showdogging”.
The amount of $ paid to a caregiver dependent on your state’s minimum wage. Or that County’s minimum wage. Seems usually minimum wage plus 5% or so. State pays you and fully reported income to IRS. You can only care for 1 person. So you could do MiL and hubs caregiver for his dad. I think depending on the elders mo income & their expenses (like they own & live in their home), they may need to do a copay to the state of some of their mo income. Being IHHS state paid caregiver is a low wage job no matter how you look at it. It’s viewed as flexible FT, so you cannot have another FT job outside of the home.
There was someone on this site who did Etsy to have a bit more $ till she herself could file for her own SS retirement income as it was less than1K a mo paid by IHHS….. her mom owned the home so no rent or utilities but she left her job in another state to move in and caregive so had no $ except for the tiny ihhs$ & she had a car note, insurance etc to pay. Her mom could not pay her daughters car note or insurance either as that looks like “gifting” which would be a problem for when & if her mom needed to go into skilled nursing care and file for LTC Medicaid. It seemed incredibly stressful as the mom needed to stay living in her home as moms SS & retiree income was what kept the household afloat as daughter left her job in a other state to caregive. Her mom was sweet but it was still stressful. It’s an easy trap to fall into.
Also if your hubs folks own their own home and that is where you live, and you do not have your own home elsewhere, clearly ask & get the answers in writing that if by their going onto IHHS, if by doing this it then places their home under after death MERP Estate Recovery requirements and if by your being a paid caregiver if this removes you from ever being able to file for the caregiver exemption to MERP estate recovery.
if you a not getting clear written answers on this, or it’s looking like 1 needs a NH but the other ok for staying at home, ASAP find an elder law atty with experience in how the State looks at assets owned by elder who go onto IHHS and married couples LTC Medicaid application.
Julissa, I have to ask if you and your husband *want* to continue with your in-laws’ care at home? It sounds like their needs are pretty overwhelming. Dementia is so tragic for all concerned and unfortunately it can go on and on. . . Sorry your family is dealing with this. 🙁