A good time is when she gets to the point you cannot care for her anymore. Her physical care is too much or your just burned out. She will need a doctor to sign off she needs 24/7 care. Dementia alone should get her into a Long term care facility.
The best thing is to pay a couple of months privately, which is what I was able to do with my mother with the money she had left. Medicaid has a "spend down" where there is about a 2k cap Mom will be allowed to keep. In my State you have 90 days to apply, provide info needed and find a place that will take Mom on Medicaid. You may want to research places before you start the Medicaid application just to get an idea.
If Mom should go to the hospital and then rehab, this is a good time to have her evaluated for long term care. Where I live, rehabs and NHs are in the same building so easy to transfer. You then apply for Medicaid. Social Worker can help you with this.
NY has higher asset limits.
The best thing is to pay a couple of months privately, which is what I was able to do with my mother with the money she had left. Medicaid has a "spend down" where there is about a 2k cap Mom will be allowed to keep. In my State you have 90 days to apply, provide info needed and find a place that will take Mom on Medicaid. You may want to research places before you start the Medicaid application just to get an idea.
If Mom should go to the hospital and then rehab, this is a good time to have her evaluated for long term care. Where I live, rehabs and NHs are in the same building so easy to transfer. You then apply for Medicaid. Social Worker can help you with this.