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Georgia resident. Now applying for Medicaid for NH long term care for Mom. We ran the exempt items list and spent down on things we could. We still need to spend 6k to meet 2k limit. Ideas and knowledge appreciated.

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Have you bought her sturdy clothes that will withstand washing in hot water? Get the Lands End catalog and buy her lots of nice knit separates. High end sneakers with velcro. Socks ( lots of socks).

You've been to an eldercare attorney, yes?
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Caregivega2019 Apr 2019
Yes, we have an elder care attorney. We have exhausted the “allowed” list and trying to spend. Clothing spend is a good idea. Prepaid burial done. Have prepaid her rent for 2 months until Medicaid approval decision is in. Can we spend on apt move, junk hauling, storage for possessions and cleaning expenses?
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No idea. Have you asked the lawyer?
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Someone suggested getting as much dental work done as possible. It's expensive, but more importantly they said that the result was that their mother could eat much more food options than most of the other residents. It does depend on whether she could tolerate the work, but it's worth a thought.
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Also eyeglasses. Have you looked into a Medicaid-compliant annuity?
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Have you included all aspects of burial needs in her plan? Don’t forget about assigning funds for funeral costs such as food, musician, death announcements( our local newspaper charged $500.00 extra to insert deceased person’s picture in announcement); funeral day transportation limousines; as well as opening and closing fees of burial grounds. Did you include all aspects of the burial plot, headstone and perpetual gravesite care? Make sure to check what spending limit is allowed for burial plans before purchasing these extras.
Another area is medical supplies, including therapeutic assistive devises, equipment and aides for all types of medical and physical conditions.
Purchase heavyweight, year-round clothing and long-lasting outerwear and shoes that will endure outside weather conditions.
Best wishes!
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Among other things you could do, you could pay for caregivers NOW. It's unclear if your mom currently has a home health aide, or if she's already in a care place. If you paid for a HHA for a month, that'd easily be a couple thousand dollars. Could your mom use some extra attention from someone, or would you like help at bath time, or maybe some extra physical therapy? Medical expenses are allowed. If you spend the money this way, by hiring med pros in any aspect to help your mom, you could spend that 6k very quickly.

But if she doesn't need any extra help right now, and you don't need a vacation from the care (assuming you are the one currently providing care), then I like the idea of buying all well-made clothing, towels, and bedding she could ever need. What are some of your mom's specific needs? Does she have any issues with incontinence, for example.

And yes, you're allowed to spend her money on her needs. If she needs all her own house stuff moved to storage or hauled to a charity, that's a valid expense.
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