Nursing Home / Assisted Living Facility?

[zipmac]

What is the name of your state? Texas

My girlfriend's mother who turned 63 this past November has gotten to the point where she needs to go into some type of housing that will be able to watch her. She is collecting SS disability right now. As well as living in Section 8 housing. Although she is still driving her car, she doesn't belong behind the wheel any longer.

My question is what steps are need to place someone into a nursing home or Assisted Living Facility? There are some days that her mother wants to move into some place and then other days she is dead set against it. My girlfriend is going to school full time and doesn't have the space to have her stay with her. Her mom is calling her 15 to 20 times a day wanting her to take her to the store. Looking into the fridge and pantry she multiples of the same items...i.e. 3 half gallons of milk, 3 packages of bacon, 4 dozen eggs, 3 loaves of bread, etc.

She had a stroke several years ago and was using a cane to help her get around, but is now unable to balance herself enough and several weeks ago ended up in the ER for 10 hours after falling and hitting her head on the sidewalk outside her home. Luckly she only got a bump on her head, but was given a walker to use instead of her cane so she is better able to stable herself. Getting her to use the walker is another story.

Will the nursing home look to the family to pay for the housing? If the mother doesn't have the funds to pay, what happens?

Thank you in advance for any help anyone can pass on.

 

[mspanzertanker]

Is the mother still competent to make her own decisions? If so, your girlfriend cannot put her into an Assisted Living Facility without mom's permission. If mom is not competent, that would have to be proven in order for your girlfriend to make decisions on mom's behalf. Assisted Living facilities are generally not paid for by Medicare they are private pay facilities. This means that either your girlfriend or her mother would have to pay. Your girlfriend may want to look into privately paying a caretaker to come into mom's home.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

If she is on SSDI and age 63 that may be changing to straight retirement income. Is she also receiving SSI, if so perhaps she is eligible for some in home health services since she is on seciton 8 housing? Even though she was treated and released, she may have suffered a head injury further contributing to her irratic cognitive abilities, it would be wise to contact the local council on aging or adult services for assistance on resources for her.

 

[mspanzertanker]

Does she have Medicaid? If so, she may be eligible for long term nursing home care, but she would have to meet criteria for need, especially due to her young age. Also, has she had stroke rehab?

 

[candg918]

Doctor's orders are required as well for admission to a nursing home.

I suggest that mother also be evaluated by a geriatric psychiatrist. There are new drugs that can be very effective on early-mid stage dementia. This is sometimes done as an in-patient and covered by Medicare. This evaluation along with a physical evaluation will help determine the proper level of services that her mother requires.

The doctor can also help to get her mother's license revoked. If she should not be driving, please consider having that done and her car taken away.

 

[BlondiePB]

When you have your mom sign up for Medicaid, have her sign up for the "medically needy" program that pays the Medicare deductible. Also check for a Medicaid Waiver. This pays for additional services for ALF's that residents require which may make an ALF within mom's budget.