Look into applying for Medicare or Medicaid assistance, check with social security about a disability claim for the person you care for, I have heard that some of these May be options, hearsay, I have not looked into it yet, I am caring for my husband...is your loved one a Veteran? There may be some assistance from the VA...all these are going to take time, so start investigating soon. God bless you
I have not found a lot of financial assistance for those who are not ready for a full-time memory care unit. There are some Medicaid beds available in those units in my area, however, and we will likely need to try for one of those when the time comes. An elder law attorney or specialist may be able to help you navigate the system. I have also found those who work at facilities (directors, admissions, etc.) which accept Medicaid and have memory care units have been helpful and willing to share resources and contacts.
Port - your hubby's MD is going to be central in all this. They will need to do orders for needing skilled nursing care. If you all apply to Medicaid for paying for his care (and that is whole other issue to deal with….), he will be evaluated as to his "need" for skilled nursing as well as his "need" for financial assistance. So is his doc in agreement that he needs a NH? Is he being seen by a gerontologist or a specialist for Park and what is their viewpoint on his care needs?
Do you have any idea of what type and degree of dementia your DH has? You mention he has Parkinson's, how is he with that? I ask because often those with Park have Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). My mom has LBD but does not have Park. LBD is a different spin on dementia in that they stay pretty competent and cognitive for much longer than those with Alzheimer's and can often do well at home or IL with some degree of help. While this sounds great, it can be a stumbling block in having them admitted to a NH as they seem too capable for needing a NH. This is what I faced with my mom…she was in IL for a couple of years and did well but would have episodes of hallucinations, false beliefs. The facility she was in - a tiered one that went from IL to AL to NH & hospice which I selected because my thought was that she wouldn't have to move (wrong….) - the facility medical director took the position that she was good for private pay AL and never-ever NH which took Medicaid. Lewy enables them to appear so normal so this was a factor but also there is their profit motive imho. Now what we did was have my mom go back to see her old gerontology group who also are medical directors of NH. They know how to structure the medical history so that it clearly shows the need for skilled nursing. Meant visits every 4 -6 weeks with testing done and the day she lost 10% weight and a bad H & H lab, they wrote the orders for skilled nursing needed. I got her moved to NH within weeks. So think if his doc is going to be supportive about NH or if you need to find a gerontologist and then schedule that appointment. If there is a medical school anywhere close to you, they will have a gerontology department and those doc's are great because once you all are in their system, care is co-ordinated so that it is all from a gerontology viewpoint. My mom's practice group also has social workers and NP's who do outreach. Social workers have lots of info and I've found are unbiased as facilities have to have SW, so they have job security and can be more upfront.
Oh, what is the LTC policy paying for now & will the policy pay for any care in a facility? Some NH do not take LTC policies at all for payment. My mom's NH does not - only private pay or Medicaid / Medicare - as they feel the reporting required by the insurance company is just too much paperwork. So ask about that when you are looking at NH. Good luck and keep a sense of humor, it's not easy.
I urge anyone to find a facility that they would like and get on the waiting list. If your name comes up and your aren't ready, you can say keep me there for later. When you are ready and then try to get especially a Medicaid bed, it might come to you too late. Payment options are usually Medicaid, private pay until Medicaid eligible, LTC insurance, VA benefits but won't matter if you can't get a bed in a facility you choose.
i started with a elder care attorney. he told me what to do next. i had no idea where to begin to place mom in a nh. keep your poa papers on you at all times the are used alot in anything you go to do. get the insurance policys, take the the cash value off them. it can only be spent on something iravocable, such as paying for stuff for her like: stuff for her room at nh, clothes, funeral expences. then sign her up for medicaid. which the nh will do for you. hope i answered some of your questions.
Hi! I think it's good that you're thinking about your own strategy for long-term care. Try looking into long-term care insurance. This product will definitely help cover the costs of caregivers, in-home care, and other expenses related to long-term healthcare. However, premiums can be expensive, that's why only buy one if your finances are in good standing and don't forget to shop around. You can request no-obligation quotes from freeltcquotes or acsia. Find a policy whose premiums you can afford way into the future. Also, look into other financial products like an annuity with long-term care riders or a hybrid policy that combines life insurance and long-term care benefits.
Do you have any idea of what type and degree of dementia your DH has?
You mention he has Parkinson's, how is he with that? I ask because often those with Park have Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). My mom has LBD but does not have Park. LBD is a different spin on dementia in that they stay pretty competent and cognitive for much longer than those with Alzheimer's and can often do well at home or IL with some degree of help. While this sounds great, it can be a stumbling block in having them admitted to a NH as they seem too capable for needing a NH. This is what I faced with my mom…she was in IL for a couple of years and did well but would have episodes of hallucinations, false beliefs. The facility she was in - a tiered one that went from IL to AL to NH & hospice which I selected because my thought was that she wouldn't have to move (wrong….) - the facility medical director took the position that she was good for private pay AL and never-ever NH which took Medicaid. Lewy enables them to appear so normal so this was a factor but also there is their profit motive imho. Now what we did was have my mom go back to see her old gerontology group who also are medical directors of NH. They know how to structure the medical history so that it clearly shows the need for skilled nursing. Meant visits every 4 -6 weeks with testing done and the day she lost 10% weight and a bad H & H lab, they wrote the orders for skilled nursing needed. I got her moved to NH within weeks. So think if his doc is going to be supportive about NH or if you need to find a gerontologist and then schedule that appointment. If there is a medical school anywhere close to you, they will have a gerontology department and those doc's are great because once you all are in their system, care is co-ordinated so that it is all from a gerontology viewpoint. My mom's practice group also has social workers and NP's who do outreach. Social workers have lots of info and I've found are unbiased as facilities have to have SW, so they have job security and can be more upfront.
Oh, what is the LTC policy paying for now & will the policy pay for any care in a facility? Some NH do not take LTC policies at all for payment. My mom's NH does not - only private pay or Medicaid / Medicare - as they feel the reporting required by the insurance company is just too much paperwork. So ask about that when you are looking at NH. Good luck and keep a sense of humor, it's not easy.
http://www.info4seniors.org/
Blessings and good luck
Also, look into other financial products like an annuity with long-term care riders or a hybrid policy that combines life insurance and long-term care benefits.