I have heard that Michigan is good from someone who used to frequent Forum and who gave care to a relative. This was in terms of Medicaid. But I think an actual move in terms of what that would mean for you, for any job you may have, from selling and buying again, cost of living in states, and so many other things you cannot even know or guess at (such a availability of care) would preclude this. I wish I had better answers. I wouldn't even know how to research it myself. This is a question that will require a lot of online sleuthing. I wish you good luck.
Jerry, since you live in S. Dakota - have you thought about researching Iowa? They're very helpful/kind there. The same with Minnesota. I think either state might be a good choice and neither are too far away from you. I would start by researching them online. There are lots of elderly there so I would think they'd have some good programs to help your Mom.
And, no I don't think people consider people from other states "foreign." It's just that so many of us have lived in our respective states for years - and are struggling to receive any services or quality medical care as there are so many waiting lists and so little help available.
I am sorry Jerry. I know you don't want to do this, but placing Mom maybe your only choice. It would really be overwhelming trying to find anyone state that would fit your needs and finding a job and housing there.
You may just need to place Mom. I know its the last thing you want to do but it seems you don't have the resources where you live. And dealing with in home care is not all that great either. Medicaid only gives so many hours. Not usually enough for you to work all day. Use what money she has to get her placed somewhere nice that excepts Medicaid. Then you can work with some peace of mind.
Frankly, I'd guess (and it's only a guess) that Colorado or maybe Minnesota are the closest states that would provide better help. You're surrounded by sparsely-populated states that tend not to have the greatest services.
I lived in the Denver area for years, but I'm not familiar with Minnesota.
Jerry, what you need to do is spend some online time researching this topic yourself. It's going to be time consuming, and only you can know what you specifically need, especially since you haven't provided any details on your mother's conditions or needs beyond resources that aren't currently available in SD. E.g., does she need in-home assistance? Is she mobile, able to walk, or does she need that kind of assistance? Transportation assistance? What conditions does she have? Would Senior Centers offer companionship or activities from which she could benefit?
The list could be long; only you can know what you're seeking.
What I would do is make a list of her conditions and associated needs, then search online for states with institutions or facilities that provide those needs, prioritized for importance. Research in this order: your local community, then county, then state. If your state has an elder law or other elder agency, contact them; in my experience they have a lot of connections and knowledge that might not be available online.
E.g., Michigan has an Elder Law Agency which offers limited free legal advice. It also has an Aging and Adult Services Agency which lists other related available services.
Jerry, I live in Southern Arizona and we have tons of snowbirds that have worked, lived and paid taxes some place else. They come here and get ill and end up in our system. It is what it is.
Medicaid is federally funded and state administered. So where you paid taxes doesn't really make much difference.
I don't think any place has really great resources for seniors. It has never really been an issue in the past, so it is something that is being confronted now.
Mostly you can get minimal help in home or you can get public assistance for long term care placement, nursing home.
There is meals on wheels but, they can only help so many people and often have a waiting list. You can find charities that offer companion sitting but, that's like max 2xs monthly for 4 hours and no hands on care, same with area on aging caregivers, they can do more but it is still only 2xs for 4 monthly.
Mostly we are expected to pay for care or have family do it.
I found a board and care for my dad, they met his 24/7 care needs at a reasonable price. I am fortunate that I literally had thousands of choices because of the Snowbirds, they created a need that has been filled.
Can you share what kind of care or help your mom needs?
Medicaid is State funded and the Federal government helps.
"The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, and at least 50 percent of each state's Medicaid funding is matched by the federal government, although the exact percentage varies by state. Medicaid is the largest source of federal funding that states receive."
I pay property taxes, income taxes in my state. I want those taxes to help people in my state not those who move to my state to get benefits. If your mother needs help apply for Medicaid in your state.
Well I have been taking care of her since 1/1/2020 and I was decieved about the help I would get from our local resources as I have found out that we dont have any. Im only 47 and can't retire yet. I was just inquiring about resources in other areas. I didnt take into account that so many people view people from other areas of the country as foriegners.
This is a question none of us can answer. Help like Medicaid is by State. Some States require residency for a certain time to get help. Some State programs the same thing. Why should my State support someone who has resided in another state and is moving here because we have better resources. Our taxes pay for these programs and you have not paid into my State taxes.
What you need to do is investigate your States resources. You can start with your local Office of Aging. Programs are usually based on income. There is Medicaid for health insurance. Medicaid for "in home" help and Medicaid for Longterm care. All, you need to meet a certain income requirement.
I don't see where moving to a particular state because their resources are better is really feasible. Thats 50 states. You have to look at the cost of living in each state. Ex: Hawaii has a high cost of living but may have better resources for Seniors. So you get resources but can't afford to live there. I live in NJ, we have sales tax, income tax, the highest property taxes in the US and the highest car insurance in the US but...our Welfare is good. So we have people coming in from PA for our Welfare, is that fair. I pay big taxes here why should I support someone who has been living in another State. See what I mean.
There is no one program that will help cover your mom's care 100%. Medicaid is for those who qualify for LTC. Medicaid rules vary by state, and each state's Medicaid application financial "look back" period can be anywhere from 2.5 years to 5 years, so how an elder's finances are managed is critically important in order to qualify.
Please know that it's not just the state that should be considered, but also the county within that state. Some very rural counties have very few resources while others are very rich in resources. Resources meaning funds and programs (like transportation etc.) Sometimes these counties are right next to each other (I have an example in my own family in south Florida).
My advice to you is to investigate your mom's current county's resources and compare it to surrounding ones. If you are considering uprooting yourselves please look around in her own backyard first.
Just a clarification, not to contradict your great advice. Medicaid will NOT pay 100%. Moms SS and any other income will pay her share of costs 1st and then Medicaid will pay the balance, less a small personal needs allowance, like 30.00 to 125.00 monthly.
Mom will need to spend down any assets above 2k, on approved expenditures, no gifts to anyone to make her broke to qualify.
She must be at need to qualify, medically and financially.
I think either state might be a good choice and neither are too far away from you. I would start by researching them online. There are lots of elderly there so I would think they'd have some good programs to help your Mom.
And, no I don't think people consider people from other states "foreign." It's just that so many of us have lived in our respective states for years - and are struggling to receive any services or quality medical care as there are so many waiting lists and so little help available.
You may just need to place Mom. I know its the last thing you want to do but it seems you don't have the resources where you live. And dealing with in home care is not all that great either. Medicaid only gives so many hours. Not usually enough for you to work all day. Use what money she has to get her placed somewhere nice that excepts Medicaid. Then you can work with some peace of mind.
I lived in the Denver area for years, but I'm not familiar with Minnesota.
E.g., does she need in-home assistance? Is she mobile, able to walk, or does she need that kind of assistance? Transportation assistance? What conditions does she have? Would Senior Centers offer companionship or activities from which she could benefit?
The list could be long; only you can know what you're seeking.
What I would do is make a list of her conditions and associated needs, then search online for states with institutions or facilities that provide those needs, prioritized for importance. Research in this order: your local community, then county, then state. If your state has an elder law or other elder agency, contact them; in my experience they have a lot of connections and knowledge that might not be available online.
E.g., Michigan has an Elder Law Agency which offers limited free legal advice. It also has an Aging and Adult Services Agency which lists other related available services.
( https://www.michigan.gov/osa/ )
These might be the kind of agencies with which to start in SD. Did a quick check and found info on various SD agencies:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=South+Dakota+elder+services&iflsig=ALs-wAMAAAAAYdMx-xiH3Gni4CuSuyTaQKFrXFwTwWkO&gbv=2&oq=South+Dakota+elder+services&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3..0i333l2.881.13754.0.13823.39.29.6.4.4.0.139.2987.8j20.28.0....0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..1.38.3372.WHueSzE97gE
Or just search on South Dakota elder services.
Medicaid is federally funded and state administered. So where you paid taxes doesn't really make much difference.
I don't think any place has really great resources for seniors. It has never really been an issue in the past, so it is something that is being confronted now.
Mostly you can get minimal help in home or you can get public assistance for long term care placement, nursing home.
There is meals on wheels but, they can only help so many people and often have a waiting list. You can find charities that offer companion sitting but, that's like max 2xs monthly for 4 hours and no hands on care, same with area on aging caregivers, they can do more but it is still only 2xs for 4 monthly.
Mostly we are expected to pay for care or have family do it.
I found a board and care for my dad, they met his 24/7 care needs at a reasonable price. I am fortunate that I literally had thousands of choices because of the Snowbirds, they created a need that has been filled.
Can you share what kind of care or help your mom needs?
"The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, and at least 50 percent of each state's Medicaid funding is matched by the federal government, although the exact percentage varies by state. Medicaid is the largest source of federal funding that states receive."
What kind of assistance does she need.
What you need to do is investigate your States resources. You can start with your local Office of Aging. Programs are usually based on income. There is Medicaid for health insurance. Medicaid for "in home" help and Medicaid for Longterm care. All, you need to meet a certain income requirement.
I don't see where moving to a particular state because their resources are better is really feasible. Thats 50 states. You have to look at the cost of living in each state. Ex: Hawaii has a high cost of living but may have better resources for Seniors. So you get resources but can't afford to live there. I live in NJ, we have sales tax, income tax, the highest property taxes in the US and the highest car insurance in the US but...our Welfare is good. So we have people coming in from PA for our Welfare, is that fair. I pay big taxes here why should I support someone who has been living in another State. See what I mean.
Please know that it's not just the state that should be considered, but also the county within that state. Some very rural counties have very few resources while others are very rich in resources. Resources meaning funds and programs (like transportation etc.) Sometimes these counties are right next to each other (I have an example in my own family in south Florida).
My advice to you is to investigate your mom's current county's resources and compare it to surrounding ones. If you are considering uprooting yourselves please look around in her own backyard first.
Mom will need to spend down any assets above 2k, on approved expenditures, no gifts to anyone to make her broke to qualify.
She must be at need to qualify, medically and financially.