[wpcoe]

My mother is 101 years old and has been living with my sister (currently 70 years old), but is becoming a bit more than my sister can handle. (My sister has physical limitations of her own.) They currently share an apartment in Sunrise Manor.

Does anybody here have experience with and/or recommendation for a care solution in the LV area for my mother? She is physically pretty healthy, though a bit unstable on her feet and is sliding into dementia.

The clincher is the only income and resources she has is Social Security. Last time I looked, she was getting a monthly check for about $1125 after Medicare (A,B,D) deductions. Is there any chance there's a decent place for her to live out her remaining years on such low income? She doesn't require luxury, just a clean safe place with supervision and meals.

The few places I found on an internet search which show prices are $3,000+ which is out of our league.

Are there Medicare Advantage plans which would cover her care and residency? My sister and I are at a loss as to how to approach this.

Any suggestions (or any information) would be helpful. Feel free to PM me if you're more comfortable sharing that way.

PS: My Canadian friends were mortified that the US doesn't have a government system in place for the elderly. Apparently in Canada, everyone is entitled to a long-term facility, priced on their ability to pay? My guess is that nothing like that exists in the US?

[robr2]

Your mom may qualify for Medicaid to pay for a nursing home. Google "nevada medicaid nursing home eligibility" and start your research there.

I just went through finding an assisted living facility for both my parents (mom needs help after a stroke and Dad is doing well) but they had assets. They are self pay for now.

[wpcoe]

Thanks! Initial googling indicates that Medicaid is what should cover her needs. I still have lots of questions about how to get from Point A (here, now) to Point B (Mom in a managed-care facility.)

Did you find a facility in LV?

[Svoboda]

I don't want to steer this political, but when you're ultimately making a selection, I'd pick a place that if you needed to help out, you could afford after her current benefits are exhausted. We are actually in preliminary searches for a similar parental situation in Indiana and running into the same issues -- pretty much everything is $3-5k/mo.

There was a NY Times piece this week where some Republican senators said cutting social security and Medicare are likely on the table if he gets re-elected. Has to pay for the tax cuts.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/u...-predicts.html

[Code Stemi]

I recommend you get in touch with a hospital RN case manager. They are very familiar with these types of questions and can provide information and resources about what could be the best fit. The problem with that proposal though, is it may be difficult approaching that topic with them without having some sort of prior existing relationship.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by wpcoe

Thanks! Initial googling indicates that Medicaid is what should cover her needs. I still have lots of questions about how to get from Point A (here, now) to Point B (Mom in a managed-care facility.)

Did you find a facility in LV?

Sorry - I meant to say in Massachusetts.

You may want to check out:

https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1634

Medical Assistance


Consider meeting with a Medicaid or Elder Services attorney. They can look at your Mom's financial situation and make recommendations. We did that first to determine what my parents could qualify for.

Last, do you have power of attorney and a health care proxy in place for her? It makes it much easier for you to handle her affairs.

Good luck.

[Commander666]

Originally Posted by Svoboda

I don't want to steer this political, but when you're ultimately making a selection, I'd pick a place that if you needed to help out, you could afford after her current benefits are exhausted. We are actually in preliminary searches for a similar parental situation in Indiana and running into the same issues -- pretty much everything is $3-5k/mo.

There was a NY Times piece this week where some Republican senators said cutting social security and Medicare are likely on the table if he gets re-elected. Has to pay for the tax cuts.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/u...-predicts.html

Your link is to the new york times. Ha ha ha. Can't you find a link to the DNC?

[Svoboda]

Originally Posted by chahunt

I recommend you get in touch with a hospital RN case manager. They are very familiar with these types of questions and can provide information and resources about what could be the best fit. The problem with that proposal though, is it may be difficult approaching that topic with them without having some sort of prior existing relationship.

100%. You should also ask for a social worker. Most hospitals retain them for these very reasons -- they are typically experts in community services outside of their walls. My wife has been one for over a decade working ERs in Indiana and here for the VA.

[wpcoe]

Thanks for all the ideas. I now have different options to pursue. I live overseas (Thailand) but will make an extended visit to Las Vegas to sort this all out. I just needed to know where to start. Medicaid seems vital, and I was missing that crucial part when I was researching online.