Main thing is to make sure you can afford to take care of Mom. Even if she pays you.
If you are working in a job right now and plan to quit to take care of Mom, think about it. Hard. Can you survive on a pay cut? Will Mom need more help later on than just you? When Mom passes away, do you plan on going back to work? This isn't as easy as it sounds. If you're out of the workforce for many years, it's not always a given that you can go back and pick up where you left off. While you've been out, there's younger people who have come up and will work for less.
If you're moving out of your home to live with her, or she moves in with you... is the home handicap accessible? Is the bathroom equipped? Are meds stored safely?
How is your health? Can you lift Mom? Will you be able to handle it if she becomes incontinent? If she's up at night? Who will sit with her when you need to run errands like grocery shopping? There will be no more vacations, no dinners out, no outings with friends. Mom will be your world. Can you do that for years?
Sorry to be a downer. Just so many people on here who didn't realize how rough it was going to be as a full time caretaker.
So Michigan has a regional area on aging and there are commissions on aging at the county level. So, the fastest way is to contact the county commission on aging, who will do the initial assessment but they can only give respite for up to 6 hours a week. The social worker there will refer you to the area on aging and start your Medicaid paperwork. While you are "pending" they will still provide you with services.
So, lets say the needs assessment states she needs 60 hours of care (unlike almost every other state, we do not have limits on hours Medicaid will provide care). Under what is called "self determination," you could get paid for 40 hours, no OT allowed at at reasonable wage she sets (pretty much up to $20 an hour), then get respite for the other 20 hours.
So 2 issues, first, Medicaid puts a lein on her home after she dies to recover what they paid out. There are lady bird deeds here that a lawyer can set up to transfer title...also, unlike other places this can be done after she applies for Medicaid. Second, MI Medicaid will not pay a POA to caregive as according to state law, it is a conflict of interest. So, do you have POA?
If your mom has funds to pay you, then get a care contract in place so she doesn’t appear to be gifting you her funds. If she doesn’t have savings then you can check on community Medicaid to see if she qualifies. You might be able to earn a minimal salary for a few hours. You may have to get training before you would qualify for the position. Check with your area agency on aging and ask for a needs analysis. Ask what services are available for your mom and yourself as her caregiver. As you will need savings for your own retirement you might find it better if you can get help for your mom and you return to work. The funds available through Medicaid are very limited. Good luck on your search.
If you are working in a job right now and plan to quit to take care of Mom, think about it. Hard. Can you survive on a pay cut? Will Mom need more help later on than just you? When Mom passes away, do you plan on going back to work? This isn't as easy as it sounds. If you're out of the workforce for many years, it's not always a given that you can go back and pick up where you left off. While you've been out, there's younger people who have come up and will work for less.
If you're moving out of your home to live with her, or she moves in with you... is the home handicap accessible? Is the bathroom equipped? Are meds stored safely?
How is your health? Can you lift Mom? Will you be able to handle it if she becomes incontinent? If she's up at night? Who will sit with her when you need to run errands like grocery shopping? There will be no more vacations, no dinners out, no outings with friends. Mom will be your world. Can you do that for years?
Sorry to be a downer. Just so many people on here who didn't realize how rough it was going to be as a full time caretaker.
So, lets say the needs assessment states she needs 60 hours of care (unlike almost every other state, we do not have limits on hours Medicaid will provide care). Under what is called "self determination," you could get paid for 40 hours, no OT allowed at at reasonable wage she sets (pretty much up to $20 an hour), then get respite for the other 20 hours.
So 2 issues, first, Medicaid puts a lein on her home after she dies to recover what they paid out. There are lady bird deeds here that a lawyer can set up to transfer title...also, unlike other places this can be done after she applies for Medicaid. Second, MI Medicaid will not pay a POA to caregive as according to state law, it is a conflict of interest. So, do you have POA?
no OT allowed at at reasonable wage “she” sets (pretty much up to $20 an hour)
If she doesn’t have savings then you can check on community Medicaid to see if she qualifies. You might be able to earn a minimal salary for a few hours. You may have to get training before you would qualify for the position. Check with your area agency on aging and ask for a needs analysis. Ask what services are available for your mom and yourself as her caregiver.
As you will need savings for your own retirement you might find it better if you can get help for your mom and you return to work. The funds available through Medicaid are very limited. Good luck on your search.
https://www.michigan.gov/osa/