My mother has dementia, I am so far,able to keep her in her home with 3 shifts of caregivers. VA has kicked in with aid and attendance. She spends a lot of time in recliner and sometimes has a problem pushing herself up to get out of chair. Any ideas on lift chair financial assistance.
unable to achieve the standing position when seated in a conventional height seat, when the
patients have the ability to ambulate independently in a safe manner once in the standing
position (refer to PCM Clinical Practice Recommendations for Prescription of Seat Lift
Mechanisms found at: http://vaww1.va.gov/prosthetics/. NOTE: Lift chairs may not be
provided. May not does not mean WILL not
If you haven't done so, please make an appointment with a hospice agency for an evaluation for your Mom. Hospice is not just for end of life, and if your Mom has been diagnosed with dementia she most likely would be a candidate for care, especially if she needs caregiving around the clock. It wouldn't hurt to at least find out. And hospice, which is paid through Medicare, covers a whole variety of durable medical equipment.
Now a stair-lift is a different matter. It is considered a "home improvement" and is not paid for by Medicare. It requires a county permit, and is also considered a permanent installation even though you have may it removed at a later time. I've been told that the cost of a stair-lift is approximately $4,000.00. Electrical outlets must be in place inthe correct position and enough room on the stairway is also required. This is not my choice. I'll probably seek an alternative living arrangement as I age.
Contact your local office, ask for the social worker. They may be willing to work something out, but it's pretty doubtful for that. Medicare is no better, they aren't willing to pay for any of it at all, according to a local vendor (as of June '13).
BTW, there are some other products, depending on you mother's needs that might help her. dynamic-living/product/lifting-seat-cushions/#clear or dynamic-living/product/couchcane/#clear are less expensive alternatives that she might find useful.