My grandfather needs help that I can no longer provide. He is on a fixed income and to get help they are saying he has to get rid of everything he’s worked for his whole life😢 is there anything that can be done besides that ?
Please make sure you (or any other family member) is not moving any of his assets somewhere else. The Medicaid application "look-back" period can be as long as 5 years and they will see and dislike anything that looks like "gifting" or hiding of assets. This would cause his qualifying to be delayed, which could cause his needs to be unmet and the burden put back on him and his family. I agree that a consult with an elder law attorney who has experience with Medicaid would be very wise. Your grandfather and/or his financial PoA is/are the ones who must be at this meeting. Hopefully your grandfather has assigned a durable PoA to legally act in his best interests when he is mentally no longer capable. If he hasn't yet done this, this is task #1 (and can also be handled by the attorney). Without this, if he slides into mental incompetency, then he will require a legally assigned guardian, and that is a whole other issue and expense. I wish you all the best and peace in your heart about this coming journey with your grandfather.
You want other people to pay for your grandfather's care? The government has no money that it doesn't first take from citizens, by force if necessary. Yes, it has a printing press of sorts and makes all kinds of promises to people, but that is why this country is amassing a terrible debt that will have to be paid some day.
My cousin is going thru this right now. For his mother to qualify for Medicaid in home care, he has to spend down the 30k she has in savings. She is going on 88. TG she turned her house over to him years ago. So no problems there. But its what it is. If GF has money then it needs to be used for his care. Medicaid is for people who don't have anything. My Moms last 50K went to an AL and then 2 months of private pay in LTC. Then on Medicaid. We have saved our money so we can afford help when we need it. Our girls know this so aren't expecting anything.
It’s too late to protect his assets. If he needs Medicaid now, to pay for long term care or a caregiver through a home & community based services waiver, he won’t be to shield his assets. He doesn’t have to sell his personal belongings. He can keep his car. His home, if he owns one, is an exempt asset while he is living. If you lived with him for at least 2 years and provided enough care to keep him out of a nursing home then you probably qualify for the caregiver exemption which will allow you to stay in his home after he dies, provided you pay the taxes, insurance and utilities. If he has money in the bank, it’ll have to be spent down to $2k in order for him to qualify for Medicaid. once he’s in the nursing home, all of his income will go to the home minus $30-$90 a month (the amount varies by state) for personal needs.
Contact a Elder Care Attorney. They can help you with this. It's usually free for the first visit. And they know exactly what needs to be done to keep him from losing everything that he worked for. I'm going thru the same thing with my 85 year old father. Elder Care saved me from having to drain what little money dad and I both have for his care.
He can retain house, car and personal effects. He WILL have to spend down savings by paying for his care.
Our assets are meant to be used for our care.
Be proud of his accomplishments. Allow him to have dignity in his final years.
He doesn’t need to leave anything behind for anyone.
It was always meant for these final days of his life.