Can I spend down by making a gift to the federal government?

Spend down has to be for the person themselves. Buy her things for her room at the nursing home.... some new clothes that are easy to put on... a cute lamp for her dresser/night stand... or use the money to self-pay for the room at the nursing home.

As freqflyer suggested - buy her things she needs/would like for where she's living. While some of these suggestions may seem frivolous- remember, the goal is the spend down. Is she in her own bed? A wonderful mattress and box springs run around two thousand for a twin. High quality nightgowns and robes. Orthopedic slippers can run a couple hundred. Stock up on Depends - Medicaid incontenent supplies aren't as nice. New hearing aides? My moms last pair of hearing aides were a little over $5,000. New glasses? So much of "the little things" can add up - especially if you shop high-end. A new walker? Memory foam pads for a wheel chair. White Goose down feather pillows with Egyptian cotton 800 thread count pillow cases. Make a trip to a store like Bed, Bath and Beyond and I bet you'll go through a couple thousand before you know it. Seems to me like this is a good excuse to pamper your elderly loved one with luxuries that will be no longer an option once Medicaid kicks in. OR you can self pay a month at the nursing home - that ought to take care of the money pretty quickly. Personally - I'd go the pampering route.