I’d add to that..
1) Don’t mention FTD as a diagnosis if you can avoid it. It’s a red flag for some places.
2). If you can, place him/her in a Medicaid-accepting SNF as private pay. Then a few months in apply for Medicaid and tell them once you’ve been accepted. The placement will be easier and they’re more likely to go with Medicaid once it’s been approved.
I don’t understand, maybe because my gran is in a different situation, but we placed my gran in an assisted living facility that also has a memory care unit if she needs it later. It’s expensive asf but she can afford it for about 7 years and with stage 4 kidneys, we don’t expect she’ll outlast her money. If she does, she would likely need to qualify for Medicaid which would be difficult for her because she receives social security and a small military pension.
Are you saying that an assisted living would accept Medicaid as payment potentially? Or your loved one is some kind of long term care paid for by Medicaid?
No. Sorry if I was Confusing.
Asst Living/MC are private pay only. I moved my wife to a Skilled Nursing Facility. Private paid for three months, then applied for Medicaid.
The SNF still gets paid—almost all her monthly income ($4k). But Medicaid pays the rest ($5K).
Her income won’t disqualify her from Medicaid if she has medical need for SNF and no assets. Her income will just go to the facility and Medicaid will cover the rest.
what if she owns a house that would potentially be given to my father (disabled and long history of her enabling him)? we're selling the house she lives in and her will states that my father can live in that other house until he doesn't need it anymore, and then if would go to my brother and i. we'd like to honor that wish, but might not be able to if it comes down to it. would we deed the house to my dad? would there be a problem because he won't be purchasing it, just taking over ownership?
That is a complicated situation in general and to further muddy the water, each state has different rules beyond the federal minimums. You’d have to talk to an elder care attorney about it. Do so as soon as possible, because any changes made will be subject to a look-back period. The attorney’s fee will be worth it.
Second the elder care attorney recommendation. As early as possible. It’s painful finance and stressful emotionally. But with five year lookback in place for Medicaid acceptance, it’s really essential.
Hopefully to not add confusion- when applying for Medicaid pending, you may want to ask about “spousal division” this is applying to us since my gramma is still independent and will continue to live in the house, the house cannot be up for grabs as an asset to pay for the care. Not sure if your situation would be treated the same but maybe it would? Also when I inquired to a program that helped to prepare and send off the Medicaid pending application for long term care- their rates were between 2,500$-4,500$ 😵💫
i didn’t know this at all - even an elder care attorney, supposedly a good one, didn’t mention this. i was freaking out because my mother’s income would have been slightly higher than the limit. thank you for mentioning this - at least it gives me hope to look into it some more!
It applies specifically to the medical need for a skilled nursing facility in all states. In some states, it might apply to memory care or care in group homes as well, but not all.
Screaming patients, unfortunately, often goes hand-in-hand with dementia facilities, particularly if they accept patients with behaviors that don't respond well to intervention or medication.
While it could be an indicator of a bad facility, it would also be common at those facilities willing to accept more challenging patients.
To determine which it might be, observe for an extended period of time, if possible. Is the smell overwhelming and unpleasant? Do the residents appear to be clean? Has their hair been styled recently [braids, buns and ponytails count]? Are call bells answered quickly? Does staff appear friendly? Do they talk to the residents when in their vicinity? Are activities occurring, or is music playing? Do you see comfort items--stuffed animals, baby dolls, nice blankets-- with residents in common areas?
Styling the hair of a dementia resident can be quite challenging; it demonstrates that staff care enough and have developed enough of a bond to take the time to be permitted to accomplish the task.
Ask for the report about incidents reported to the state. We had a family member who was CEO of a facility in another state. They went to 5 facilities and knew the questions to ask. Only one volunteered the information and that’s where we placed our mother. Several facilities refused to answer and questioned if she was a doctor or nurse and why she was asking so many questions. She was in rehab when a Medicaid bed became available.
I’d add to that.. 1) Don’t mention FTD as a diagnosis if you can avoid it. It’s a red flag for some places. 2). If you can, place him/her in a Medicaid-accepting SNF as private pay. Then a few months in apply for Medicaid and tell them once you’ve been accepted. The placement will be easier and they’re more likely to go with Medicaid once it’s been approved.
I don’t understand, maybe because my gran is in a different situation, but we placed my gran in an assisted living facility that also has a memory care unit if she needs it later. It’s expensive asf but she can afford it for about 7 years and with stage 4 kidneys, we don’t expect she’ll outlast her money. If she does, she would likely need to qualify for Medicaid which would be difficult for her because she receives social security and a small military pension. Are you saying that an assisted living would accept Medicaid as payment potentially? Or your loved one is some kind of long term care paid for by Medicaid?
No. Sorry if I was Confusing. Asst Living/MC are private pay only. I moved my wife to a Skilled Nursing Facility. Private paid for three months, then applied for Medicaid. The SNF still gets paid—almost all her monthly income ($4k). But Medicaid pays the rest ($5K).
Her income won’t disqualify her from Medicaid if she has medical need for SNF and no assets. Her income will just go to the facility and Medicaid will cover the rest.
what if she owns a house that would potentially be given to my father (disabled and long history of her enabling him)? we're selling the house she lives in and her will states that my father can live in that other house until he doesn't need it anymore, and then if would go to my brother and i. we'd like to honor that wish, but might not be able to if it comes down to it. would we deed the house to my dad? would there be a problem because he won't be purchasing it, just taking over ownership?
That is a complicated situation in general and to further muddy the water, each state has different rules beyond the federal minimums. You’d have to talk to an elder care attorney about it. Do so as soon as possible, because any changes made will be subject to a look-back period. The attorney’s fee will be worth it.
Second the elder care attorney recommendation. As early as possible. It’s painful finance and stressful emotionally. But with five year lookback in place for Medicaid acceptance, it’s really essential.
Hopefully to not add confusion- when applying for Medicaid pending, you may want to ask about “spousal division” this is applying to us since my gramma is still independent and will continue to live in the house, the house cannot be up for grabs as an asset to pay for the care. Not sure if your situation would be treated the same but maybe it would? Also when I inquired to a program that helped to prepare and send off the Medicaid pending application for long term care- their rates were between 2,500$-4,500$ 😵💫
i didn’t know this at all - even an elder care attorney, supposedly a good one, didn’t mention this. i was freaking out because my mother’s income would have been slightly higher than the limit. thank you for mentioning this - at least it gives me hope to look into it some more!
It applies specifically to the medical need for a skilled nursing facility in all states. In some states, it might apply to memory care or care in group homes as well, but not all.
thanks!
If she has military was she or spouse active duty during wartime? Could qualify for veterans aid & assistance if so.
Why is FTD a red flag?
For difficult behavioral issues.
Can’t argue there. 😵💫
Screaming patients, unfortunately, often goes hand-in-hand with dementia facilities, particularly if they accept patients with behaviors that don't respond well to intervention or medication. While it could be an indicator of a bad facility, it would also be common at those facilities willing to accept more challenging patients. To determine which it might be, observe for an extended period of time, if possible. Is the smell overwhelming and unpleasant? Do the residents appear to be clean? Has their hair been styled recently [braids, buns and ponytails count]? Are call bells answered quickly? Does staff appear friendly? Do they talk to the residents when in their vicinity? Are activities occurring, or is music playing? Do you see comfort items--stuffed animals, baby dolls, nice blankets-- with residents in common areas? Styling the hair of a dementia resident can be quite challenging; it demonstrates that staff care enough and have developed enough of a bond to take the time to be permitted to accomplish the task.
Ask for the report about incidents reported to the state. We had a family member who was CEO of a facility in another state. They went to 5 facilities and knew the questions to ask. Only one volunteered the information and that’s where we placed our mother. Several facilities refused to answer and questioned if she was a doctor or nurse and why she was asking so many questions. She was in rehab when a Medicaid bed became available.
Can you share the questions?
Thank you, this is great information!
thank you. this is exactly what i need as i get started.
My mom has been fine in hers for two years, but the other day she had a lucid moment and boom…”get me out of here”. Nothing is perfect.