I am sole caregiver for my 87 yr old father who has Alzheimer and had a stroke. He is as limited physically as he is mentally. I have two living brothers who have never done anything for him. He has live in my home for 41/2 yrs. with my husband (who became sick at the same time my father moved in with us and died 12/1/11) and me. I was laid off from my job at the same time. My father's bills, and medical bills have taken almost all of his social security check and we have paid for all of his other needs. I have been living off of what small amount of insurance left from my husband's death which in no way will last very much longer. It is the only income I have to pay for our home, insurances, bills, etc.... I can't work and take care of my father, too. I have two living brothers who have never done anything for him and have not contributed to his care or anything. They lied to my father and had him sign his home over to them. They rent it out and keep all the income. I have no income and soon will have no more insurance money. I need financial help in order to continue taking care or my father. He is a veteran. Can I get financial help to continue to take care of him?
Lizann is right. If either is a veteran, both can get Aid and Attendance from the Veterans Administration. If you call the VA and ask about it, they will probably deny that it exists. You can go to any website of an organization that helps veterans, and print out the application form. We applied for my parents and they receive $2000 a month. We were told by their doctor that they could not be left alone at any time. We now have a live-in caretaker because my sister was taking care of them by herself. She had a caretaker come in while she was at work but they left as soon as she got home. A live-in is costing a little over $3000 a month compared to $7000 for each of them in a nursing home.
You can also get some help from Senior Services. Call 211. I believe that is the national number. You will have to start a case file with them and then your parent will have to qualify but it is well worth the effort. I recently had my Father In Law do this for his wife. They are covering some of her meds and an occasional in home aid when he goes to work.
Generally full time home health aide coverage in the home for an elderly person on Medicare is not paid for by the government. If the elder man/women was a veteran they may qualify for a program called "Aid and attendance" which does help the senior pay for home health aides in the home. We are a backward nation regarding the need to pay for home health aides /companions. It would acturally be cheaper than having the senior in a NH for 2 to 3 yrs on average--be impoverished and then the government pays the nursing home bills.
My husband has MS and developed bed sores so of course medicare paid for nursing in the home. Then we found a program in California that sent a CNA three times a week to help him with a shower. Moved to Virginia two years ago and a social worker got us a CNA to come EVERYDAY for 4 hours. Then he became so sick we qualified for 7 hours a day 5 x a week but they also gave ME 472 hours yearly as respit hours to use for me or extra help for him on weekends. Ask their doctor or nurse and they should know what companies do this. Also.....just call social services in your area. We got way more help than the first person we talked to told us. She said "Oh....you are not in California anymore so you won't get that much help here" WRONG. She shouldn't have a job taking care of seniors. We live in a senior community with 100 residents and she works in the office. (smile) We got WAY more help that we did in California. And we also got some in home physical therapy too. Just keep calling people until you find the right one. We also have him on part Medicare and Medicaid. How they worked that out I have no idea. I am on Medicare but Medicaid pays my medical premium for Medicare. ??????? Someone figured that out for us. ASK!!!!!!!
There are also grants out there available for home care. I would suggested you check with an elder Attorney. Well worth the few dollars for accurate advice. Most are free the first time.
Medicare will only pay for attendant care if nursing is needed. If your parents have a medical problem that could justify skilled nursing visits then he may be able to get Medicare to pay for the attendant care. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for nursing attendant care if he feels it's appropriate. Otherwise it will be out of pocket.
We are a backward nation regarding the need to pay for home health aides /companions. It would acturally be cheaper than having the senior in a NH for 2 to 3 yrs on average--be impoverished and then the government pays the nursing home bills.
Elizabeth