Follow
Share

This probably won't even post, and if it does I probably won't be able to respond.
Desperate times here right now. Mom has been living with us for 3 1/2 years. In the past 3 weeks to a month there has been an extremely rapid decline in her dementia. She was outside this morning without pants on, and took her shirt off outside this afternoon. She's been to the doc and had a complete work up and the doc said that everything looks good. What the heck do I do now??? There's been no catastrophic event and so I don't think that the hospital will accept an "unsafe discharge" from me.
We're currently waiting on an appointment with the neuro to get the official diagnosis of dementia in order for her to qualify for Medicaid/LTC. She's got about $6,000 to her name and that's too much financially but we're hoping to be able to figure that out. It's not near enough to cover whatever care facility she needs to be in until Medicaid would kick in though.
Is there ANYTHING I can do before the brown stuff really hits the fan? I'm at a loss here.

Find Care & Housing
There is a "new" program with Medicare called GUIDE
This will provide:
Caregiving training and support
Resources and referrals
Care and services coordination.
Telehealth accessibility
24/7 access to specialty providers
$2500 per year towards in-home respite care, adult day program, 24/7 community care.
You can not be on Hospice and be in this program though.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

In NY Medicaid allows the money to be used to pre-pay funerals for children and their spouses. We did that to spend down. Maybe you state offers that option.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Hothouseflower
Report

In my home state (MN) Medicaid allows a pre-paid funeral policy. The Cremation Society of MN. It is an insurance policy where the beneficiary is the CSMN.

You can do a browser search to find out what your state allows.

"Does Medicaid in [your state] exclude the value of a pre-paid burial or funeral contract or policy?"

Copy and paste that sentence into your browser, including the quote marks.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

My neighbour took their Mother to ER with "Confusion ? UTI". Wasn't a 'catastropic' change, but a more slower change.

Had been mildly confused (possibly Sundowner's) for a while but coping with family support. Became worse, getting more verbally agressive, losing ability to recognise objects, new fears creeping in.

The lady went directly into care from that admission (for her own safety). I do think it is easier to force if they are 'home alone' than living with family. If so, the family really has to state their case - speak up if they are not coping & it is unsafe.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Beatty
Report

Definitely ask an attorney about using her money to pre-pay for her burial expenses. That might be one way to spend down to qualifying for medicaid.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to BlueHeron
Report

It doesn't have to be a "catastrophic event" for you to tell the hospital staff that your mom is now an "unsafe discharge." If you are unable to care for her anymore, as it's too much for your mental and physical health and she is not safe by herself then she is an unsafe discharge, and the hospital MUST find the appropriate facility for your mom to be placed in.
I would have your mom taken to the ER for the possibility of a UTI, then once there and after she's checked, start using the term "unsafe discharge" over and over until they take action to get your mom placed.
You will have to stand your ground and not fall for the many lies they will try and tell you about what they can all offer if you were to take your mom back home, and instead keep saying nope, can't do this anymore, my mom is an unsafe discharge. And then let them do their job in getting her placed.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

By full workup I'm hoping this included a test for a UTI?

She is mobile so doesn't seem like a candidate for LTC yet... my MIL was in LTC for 7 years after she refused to get out of bed in AL, then eventually lost all her muscle tone and physically couldn't do it any more. All the people on her floor were in wheelchairs.

You should start looking for a faith-based facility with MC, LTC and hospice. They are usually less money but provide good care because they are non-profit and see it as a mission, not a business model. My MIL was in Presbyterian Homes here in MN -- an excellent organization. Make sure they accept Medicaid. Some for-profit facilities require you prove she has 2 years worth of funds before they accept residents (so that they don't move in the require Medicaid immediately).

Getting her into a facility on private pay before she needs Medicaid is the optimal strategy. There may be other programs in your state/county... here are resources to find out:

Your county's social services.

Your local Area Agency on Aging

Call 2-1-1

Call your local Senior Center

Consult with a Medicaid Planner for your home state.

Consult with a certified elder law attorney (CELA).
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter