I have lived with my mother now 4yrs. I am her only caregiver 24/7. What help can I get to get her into a nursing home? Can they just take her Ssi check because she only has a lifetime right to her home?
Oh, I forgot to add that I would look online at the difference in Medicaid and Medicare. I was confused about that for a long time. Medicare is for medical treatment, hospital stay, medications, and certain rehab, but Medicaid consists of much more and may cover not only medical expenses that Medicare does not cover, but also for Nursing Home expenses if your income and assets are below a certain level and you require the services of a nursing home.
First, I would make sure that I had Durable POA and Heathcare POA, so you can act on her behalf. (Even if you don't, in some places you can still apply on her behalf for certain programs like Medicaid.)
Then I would go online to see what the requirements are for Medicaid qualifications for Nursing Homes. An Elder Law attorney who knows Medicaid may be able to tell you as well. I would make sure I was familiar with the requirements before I officially filed an application.
In NC, you go to the local County Social Services and they accept applications and process the applicant for all services they may qualify for. Call your local Senior Center or Social Services and ask where you apply.
She will also need to have a doctor sign a form listing the reason she needs to enter Nursing Home. Does she have medical or mental reasons that she needs to be in Assisted Living or Nursing Home? They may send a person to do assessment in her home.
It depends on the state, but in NC, unless she needs skilled nursing care daily, she might qualify for Assisted Living and not a Nursing Home. A proper assessment would clear that up. Basically, if she qualifies they will pay for a place that meets her needs.
Note, in NC, those needing Assisted Living and NOT Nursing Home, may qualify for state help that is called NC Special Assistance. Their rules are slightly different from regular Medicaid.
Do you have her POA's? Does she have dementia? Is she on Medicaid? Does she have any resources to pay for long term care? Proceeds from her house? Or is the house going to you because you have cared for her for so long? If no assets you will have to find a medicaid nursing home which are hard to find especially those with available beds. Most decent places require two or more years of self pay before they will accept Mecicaid payment.
Then I would go online to see what the requirements are for Medicaid qualifications for Nursing Homes. An Elder Law attorney who knows Medicaid may be able to tell you as well. I would make sure I was familiar with the requirements before I officially filed an application.
In NC, you go to the local County Social Services and they accept applications and process the applicant for all services they may qualify for. Call your local Senior Center or Social Services and ask where you apply.
She will also need to have a doctor sign a form listing the reason she needs to enter Nursing Home. Does she have medical or mental reasons that she needs to be in Assisted Living or Nursing Home? They may send a person to do assessment in her home.
It depends on the state, but in NC, unless she needs skilled nursing care daily, she might qualify for Assisted Living and not a Nursing Home. A proper assessment would clear that up. Basically, if she qualifies they will pay for a place that meets her needs.
Note, in NC, those needing Assisted Living and NOT Nursing Home, may qualify for state help that is called NC Special Assistance. Their rules are slightly different from regular Medicaid.