Does Medicaid pay for assisted living?

NC pays for Assisted Living for those who are in need by doctor recommendation. It's called Special Assistance. Since you indicate your mom has dementia, I would strongly encourage you to explore Assisted Living Memory Care. In NC, there is a big difference. Most of the Assisted Living facilities have dementia patients, but when they really need help due to dementia, you will likely need to move her to a Memory Care facility.

I would have your mom assessed to see exactly what her needs are. My loved one did well in regular Assisted Living for a short time, but then her dementia increased and she needed Memory Care quickly. I would keep that in mind when selecting a place. Some facilities have regular Assisted Living on one wing and Memory Care on the other. I'd explore both to see what your mom qualifies for.

The Area Agency on Aging (sometimes called Aging Partners) in the area where your mom wishes to live should be able to help. My local agency provided a list of AL facilities that were certified for memory care, which was what my mom needed, and also which ones would accept Medicaid. My mom is still private pay, but I like to plan ahead. They can also point you to the proper agencies to apply for Medicaid.

If either of your parents was a war time veteran, there may be some financial help for your mom's expenses. Contact a veterans' service office.

I would add that it is verybdifficult, unfortunately to dind answers to simple Q's like "what is monthly rent?" From my experience trying to determine if my parents could afford AL, they would only give such info in person. So be prepared to spend a lot of time researching. Perhaps your Medicaid case worker has a list of which accept MA.

Thanks sascaregiver. This has been helpful.

Thanks jeannegibbs, this has been helpful.

She'll probably qualify for Medicaid unless she owns assets. Then she might have to sell some assets and use that money up first. Don't start the application process until you are sure which state she will live in. Medicaid is a federal program but it administered separately by each state.

Some Assisted Living Facilities accept Medicaid in payment. Some accept it but only from residents who have been paying out of their own pockets for a specified length of time, like 2 years. Others do not accept Medicaid at all.

Do research in the area Mom is considering moving to. The program involved in AR is called Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver. Find out which facilities, if any, would accept such payments. Is there a waiting list? Would Mom quality medically for the program?

Good luck!

I would call them directly to find out if she qualifies for Medicaid. I think Medicaid helps to pay for Assisted Living in some cases when a doctor states they need skilled nursing and the AL facility can meet her medical needs. My mom was in AL briefly. LT Care Insurance kicked-in after the fact because she was there exactly 90 days and her doctor signed off on it. She lives with me now. When I checked with an Elder Law Attorney 2 years ago he stated Mom's income was too high to qualify for Medicaid, however he would probably be able to get her qualified if/when she needed to be placed in a Skilled Nursing Facility.