I have seen some folks on this forum post say “if she is on “MA” then you can get help with cost for meals” in ALF’s. Can someone tell me what “MA” is? Sorry for being thick headed!
I think you are not thick headed at ALL. I went straight to our list of acronyms and MA isn't there. My guess would have been Medicaid or Medical Aid, and looks like some below knew the answer for you. Have you found an Assisted Living that accepts medicaid? I know there are some, but rare as hen's teeth I think. Do know that medicaid varies state to state as to what it provides, being a combo of state and federal aid to seniors in need. Wishing you the best. If you go to the top line of Forum, the blue line that has titles for you to search, the line that has your avatar picture on the far right--you will find an alphabetized list under "care topics", and you can see titles of articles of interest. There is also a list there of initials -- acronyms typically used on the forum.
Hi! Yes…my ALF does accept Medicaid and we are getting those funds. I am just struggling with getting her out of the room to eat. I thought perhaps there may be another government program that pays for meals since the ALF wants to charge for delivering meals to her room. I have to keep trying to get her to the dining area. She is a solitary soul. Always has been. She enjoys her own company more than anyone else’s. I may have to pay for meal delivery. We will see. Thank you for your guidance. Very grateful!
My mom didn’t want to eat in the dining room either. Not in her AL definitely not in her MC … this from the women who loved going out to eat… Her AL was definitely more restaurant style…
The only exercise she would get is if she went for meals. This was the cause of her decline. Once in memory care after fighting with her for a few months, I quit , she was happy as a clam …I think it was where she was most comfortable.. her room.
Thank you. I think that may be my best option. She is very uncomfortable in the ALF dining room due to the noise, amount of people etc. it frightens her. I hate to do another transition but it is good to hear that your mom was happier in a smaller room. Thanks so much for the great advice!
No. The dining was much smaller, no music, small group of residents. Aids were hands on. The remaining residents were much more in decline. Non-verbal or repetitive words etc. I moved her into the ALF and she seems much happier but does not like the larger dining room with many people and music. She seems to be thriving in the ALF mentally, she is enjoying some of the activities but the meals are an issue. She has lost about 6% of her body weight, I am dropping by daily to make sure she is getting enough calories. Ensure is causing bowel incontinence. The ALF would like to charge for in room delivery and I get their position. They are not staffed to make these exceptions. So, just trying to see if there are any state or federal services that might cover some of the cost. I may need to move her back but wanted to explore all options first since she seems very comfortable in the room.
In that case it may mean Medicare Advantage. If she is on Medicaid, what s the purpose of paying the premium for MA coverage? Why is Medicare Advantage even needed?
MA could mean Medicaid in California. Googled this: "Californians who qualify may be able to receive Medi-Cal by paying a small monthly premium based on their income. Premiums range from $20 to $250 per month for an individual or from $30 to $375 for a couple. To qualify, you must: Meet the medical requirements of Social Security's definition of disability.
She is in an ALF but refuses to go to the dining area. She is uncomfortable in the large room with so many people and the noise. I think it frightens her. Someone posted and said that MA may pay for a meal delivery to the room, Still trying to figure out a good solution. I understand the ALF’s position. I would love to see if there is a organization that might help pay for any fee they charge for room delivery. I am taking her to the dining room to help her but not sure if she will ever adjust well,
Go to the post and ask the person who posted. You may have misread the statement about meals in ALF. I agree with others, meals in ALF have been included in all the ones we have visited so far. Sounds like it could mean various things. If you find out, please come back and share with us.
I'm thick headed too I guess b/c I have no idea what "MA" means. Meal Allowance? Nor do I know why 'meals in ALFs' would have a cost associated with them. The nature of Assisted Living is that all meals and snacks are included in the monthly rent.
In any event, here's a link to the commonly used acronyms here on AC:
Have you found an Assisted Living that accepts medicaid? I know there are some, but rare as hen's teeth I think.
Do know that medicaid varies state to state as to what it provides, being a combo of state and federal aid to seniors in need.
Wishing you the best. If you go to the top line of Forum, the blue line that has titles for you to search, the line that has your avatar picture on the far right--you will find an alphabetized list under "care topics", and you can see titles of articles of interest. There is also a list there of initials -- acronyms typically used on the forum.
The only exercise she would get is if she went for meals. This was the cause of her decline. Once in memory care after fighting with her for a few months, I quit , she was happy as a clam …I think it was where she was most comfortable.. her room.
Medicaid and Assisted Living: What’s Covered and What’s Not
K. Gabriel Heiser
Medicaid Secrets | Updated April 25, 2022
MA = Medicaid
Or, it could mean Meals Assisted, requiring to have help eating.
Googled this:
"Californians who qualify may be able to receive Medi-Cal by paying a small monthly premium based on their income. Premiums range from $20 to $250 per month for an individual or from $30 to $375 for a couple. To qualify, you must: Meet the medical requirements of Social Security's definition of disability.
Search for a thread titled "Do you wonder what the heck all these acronyms are?"
It is listed in the discussions area of the site.
In any event, here's a link to the commonly used acronyms here on AC:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/common-caregiving-abbreviations-and-acronyms-435589.htm