Hi. Returning poster/lurker. Mom moved into AL in April of last year and has adjusted very well. She misses her house (which I sold to help finance AL) but enjoys the activities and chances to socialize. More than anything she says that she feels safe there and has actually worried about the possibility that I would make her leave. Her positive reactions have been a surprise but she continues to say that she will never stand in her children's way (be a burden).
Anyways, I'm a planner and am thinking ahead. Her current AL is private pay only. She has enough money for about 5 years (I understand that fees will increase as time goes on).
My question: should I move her as she gets to the 2 year mark for her funds running out (most of the Medicare ALs require 2 years of private pay). Or move her after the funds are completely gone. Either way she will need to move. She likes her current situation so much and the facility provides good care so I will not move her now. Obviously no one knows the future but she is almost 76 and in good physical health so she may very well outlive her funds.
Thanks.
I'd leave your mom be where she's happy right now and don't rock the boat. 5 years in elder terms is a very long time. Many things can and will change during that time.
not sure what the best move is, but its sure nice to hear she is happy and liking it in the current place!
To tell you the truth, five years from now Mom may need more care than an AL or MC are willing to give. So she will need Long-term care. So about 3 months before Moms money runs out, you apply for Medicaid.
You are very blessed to have a mom who isn't expecting you to dance attendance.
I'm sure you know that!!
I hope you find that you can keep her in the place she likes as long as possible.
Just reading the part about being a long distance caregiver and wanted to be sure as if she lives in a different state, this info would be incorrect.
https://www.medicaidlongtermcare.org/eligibility/washington/
Here is a link for the services available as of 2023 in Washington State for long term care and managed by Medicaid.
You will notice that there are several nuances to each option. Being a planner you might want to visit these different type facilities to see what options your moms remaining assets would best provide for her long term.
In my family 76 is very young. Depends on the type dementia I suppose as to how much care your mom might need. Be sure to ask about total incontinence and bedridden when you ask about long term care and being able to age in place. opposite being a wanderer. Both require more/different care.
I am glad your mom is happy today.
I personally would move her when the funds run out.
First of all, I think it a mistake to think too far ahead. You just cannot prevent a whole lot of surprises over a ONE YEAR mark let alone a TWO YEAR and heaven forbid a FIVE YEAR. You really can't. She likes her place now. That is great. My bro adjusted well as well and was doing great. Lo and behold, at 85, one year and a bit more into living in his ALF covid hit. No sooner did THAT happen then he got sepsis from a TEENY non healing sore on his shin. And he DIED of it.
You can't predict anything, let alone what mom's condition (or yours) will be as time goes along. The news today is good. Be mindful and stay here at least a year. Reassess your thinking on all of this yearly.
Best to you and best of luck and it is WONDERFUL news that your Mom is adjusting so well.
Next, please understand that in most states, Medicaid only covers LTC (long-term care) and NOT AL or MC. So, one has to qualify both medically (as assessed by a doctor, so not your opinion) and then financially. Most states havea a 5-year look-back on the financial app, but not all.
Then, please move her to a facility that accepts Mediacaid recipients. If you don't do this, she might wind up on a waiting list since "insiders" (existing residents) get first dibs on Medicaid beds.
Finally, please know that in most cases a Medicaid bed means a shared room, a roommate.
My advice to you is to consult with a Medicaid Planner for your Mom's current state of residence. You might also want to consider moving her local to you, since long-distance caregiving can be more work and more stressful. Moving someone in poor health a long distance is also expensive (and stressful).
Who is her FPoA? If she doesn't have one, this needs to happen asap. If she does have one... who is it? The FPoA will be the person to decide to move her and to where.
When I was looking for an AL we saw one that allows spending down to Medicaid. She would have needed to be at least 2 years of private pay to qualify. That facility, though not unpleasant, was not the right fit for my mom's current cognitive functions.
Moving her near me is still not an option as I am not settled and tend to relocate for my work regularly. I'll see how this next year goes with her dementia decline and reevaluate as needed.
Thanks for the input.