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Between social security and a small pension my MIL earns too much for Medicaid (around $1,500/month). She has no assets (cash or otherwise) except a condo she owns worth about $160K, where her grandaughter and great-grandchild live rent-free (they pay the taxes, maintenance, condo fee, etc.) She is getting worse by the day and a nursing home is the next step. My guess is that we're going to be about $5K a month short of the monthly cost .... my MIL really wanted to leave the condo to her grandchildren, but that may be impossible. Do we have to sell the condo to make the payments? What happens if she outlasts the proceeds from the condo? Is there anything we can do to get help from Medicaid? Thx in advance for any suggestions ... I know many in this community are facing similar challenges.

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Definitely do NOT sell the condo yet! In some states, it is possible to create a deed that will allow transfer to children (or others) without becoming subject to the state's recoupment (reimbursement) requirements.
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If your MIL is single, her house is a countable asset unless she is planning to return to it. If her granddaughter has been taking care of grandma for two years in that house or granddaughter is disabled, then other rules may apply. Overall, elders have saved money to pay for their old age, not to enrich their descendants while the taxpayer pays for their nursing care.
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Her first stop needs to be a certified Eldercare attorney who is familiar with Medicaid in her state. She can get a pooled income trust to get around the "overage " in income, for example.
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You need to consult a lawyer first about how to get her qualified i.e. get her income under the limit. A home is a noncountable asset, meaning that it doesn't count against the dollar limit on assets. Medicaid will put a lien on it, but selling it right now is probably not the best idea.

She also needs to be Medically in need of skilled nursing. Does her doctor say that's the level of care she needs? Or is she in need of Assisted Living? They are very different levels of care.

You can request a "needs assessment " through your local Area Agency on Aging, or her doctor can order one.

Why does she ( Or anyone) think she needs Nursing Home Care?
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She may need Memory Care which is a specialized kind of Assisted Living. Most folks with Dementia don't need nursing home care unless they've got a slew of medical issues as well.

If she should happen to fall, become I'll or otherwise end up in a hospital, you'll have the services of the discharge unit at the hospital who will be tasked with finding her a placement if they determine that she can't live without full time supervision.

She CAN be admitted to a Nursing Home (If that's what she needs) " Medicaid Pending".

Have you had her evaluated for meds by a geriatric psychiatrist? Sometimes meds can help with the agitation and aggression.
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In many states the nursing home will be taking her oension an social security and that will no longer be considered her income so check with your attorney on that because that generally takes care of the income situation for qualifications
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She's 84 and has Alzheimer's .... she refuses to bathe and is combative. She cut herself rather badly and takes the gauze/band-aids off as soon as she is alone. I had not thought about obtaining a "needs assessment"; I'll ask her Doctor about that. And I will hold off on taking the steps toward selling the condo until I learn more. Thanks again.
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My Mom made 1700 a month with SS. No extra cash. A house worth maybe $70K and she got Medicaid. I think the problem is the condo. People living there should be paying rent, probably. The condo could be sold for her care. You need to go back and find out why she was turned down. A Medicaid approved application only last 60 days. You must have Mom set up in a nursing home by then.
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She cannot be approved for Medicaid until she has incurred the cost of the medical care, at least not in my state. Normally you would have care ordered by a doctor and then she would be put in a nursing home with a status of Medicaid pending. The nursing home will normally apply for Medicaid for you. As for the condo, I would speak to a lawyer about that. Your mother in law does not earn too much for Medicaid. $1500 a month is nothing compared to the cost of a nursing home or assisted living. Good luck!
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Thank you for your response .... so you think we should have her enrolled in Medicaid BEFORE we decide on a Nursing Home?
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