My wife is 74 with late stage dementia. Her talk is now just gibberish. What happens if I can't care for her at home, Medicaid will not approve us (we don't have much savings but we make a little over the Medicaid income limit for a couple), and we can't afford a nursing home? .She becomes a bag lady?
The psych likely will be discharging her back to you with a bunch of meds and then its in your hands. Overwhelming i know. Their job unfortunately is not to worry about you or her....just stabilize and discharge the problem back to the family. It becomes your problem to secure or takeover caregiving.
Start with above as a terrific resource and financial assistance possibilities and you might look into local caregiver support group to join. Not only for support but can also be a wealth of info on your new jouney.
You just do not have enough information yet to proceed. You need help, in the right direction.
Worse case scenario, they negligently send her home without the proper placement and care, and after the call to 911, back she goes for reassessment.
Sorry that you and your wife are not yet getting the help she will need.
Contact the patient's rights advocate listed on the facility's paperwork
or at the office, or at the nursing station. Just make that call.
If you can, find out more about hospitals releasing patients to the streets, and the ensuing lawsuits in the news, abounding. Of course you don't want to sue any party, because you have enough stress. If you were fully armed with information and facts, a warrior for truth fighting for what's right, against wrongs, you could contact the news and have them report to raise awareness of your plight.
Are you able to get an advocate for yourself? Again, I think you need help.
I have read on here that people have strongly suggested not to allow them to send her home, and not for you to sign the discharge papers. Sounds harsh, but it may be necessary to force the care she needs. Maybe even making her a ward of the state, I don't know, but I know you need help, maybe an attorney.
For your benefit, stay with this question, don't start another question yet. It is so hard to get to know you or to help you if you keep moving from question to question.
Can someone help this man and his wife?
However, even though others have divorced to obtain the proper benefits for a loved one (not to cheat the government, but so that they themselves can survive),
the government has put a stop to that, investigates cases where they think the divorce was to obtain government benefits.
Did you ever serve in the armed forces? The VA has an Aid and Attendance benefit for your wife too.
All options should be explored, with an advocate.
When is the discharge gojng to happen?
1/2 of the savings can be allotted towards that, thus applying towards what the government calls the spend down, or should we say, their idea of nirvana to achieve gov't benefits.
Hope your attorney is helpful with not only advice, but actually taking charge to immediately execute any necessary documents to put a plan in place.
Have you met with Eldercare attorney yet about Medicaid?
How are you holding up, dear man? Your love for your wife shines through.
Or, do you just need to take her home?
When you again call 911 to find her if she elopes, or for some help restraining her, if will be you who is accused of causing the bruises.
Don't give up, just don't give up!
If you don't mind, today I will start praying for you and your wife.
Not sure where you are in the timeline but hope the atty provided some useful guidance
Do you gave enough funds to get some help in the house a few hours a day to give you a rest ?