What if assisted living is unaffordable?

Wilted

I read that, in our area, assisted living facilities sart at $3,000/month. At that rate, our LO's savings would be used up in a hurry. What does someone do if they can't live alone yet require more care than family members can provide?

Gig Harbor

Check with an elder care attorney and see about getting your LO on Medicare. There are limits on how much money they can have and how much they can earn each month.if they qualify they can look for memory care facilities that have Medicaid beds. It is important to look into this as soon as possible and an attorney can help you.

Wilted

Thank you for your reply..

He has Medicare. He doesn't qualify for medicaid.

M1

Wilted, you need to consult an attorney; there are ways to spend down their assets so that they will qualify once the savings are spent. But it can be tricky, so worth the legal help. Everyone can qualify...

Crushed

Dear Wilted
One of the reasons I endlessly ask people to fill  in their profiles is so we know what state they are in, how old they are whether they are married and all the rest of information needed to  try to help. Medicaid varies by state. People even move to states with better medicaid options

Forget Medicare it has very few benefits for Alzheimer's

BUT more importantly IGNORE everything you are told about Medicaid except what you learn from your lawyer or your Medicaid professional   

Everyone else will either lie to you deliberately or tell you the most utter nonsense.  

Wilted

He's in Arizona. 

He's 77. 

Single.

Ed1937

As suggested, consult with a CELA (certified elder law attorney). You will probably be surprised at what can be done.

Cynbar

Community Medicaid and long term care Medicaid are different ---- sometimes a person doesn't qualify in the community but would if they went into a facility. An elder law attorney in Arizona can give you all the info you will need going forward. However, it's true that some people do not qualify for either kind of Medicaid, perhaps because they have given money away during the 5 year lookback period or own vacation property. And, even if would qualify for long term care Medicaid, some states don't allow it to be used for assisted living but only for nursing homes. In that case, he would have to stay home until he required a nursing home level of care. So, there are a lot of things to consider. But please do consult an attorney for advice on your specific situation.

Crushed

Wilted wrote:

He's in Arizona. 

He's 77. 

Single.

What is your connection to him ?  No one can help without the information it is much better to put it in your profile

Wilted

SO for over a decade.

I'll try to call a certified elder law attorney while he's in the shower.

Rescue mom

So many people, tons of people, are surprised they CAN quality for Medicaid for long-term care in a facility. It’s different than Medicaid for young(er) families health care, and totally different from Medicare (not much help at all in daily care).

But it usually takes expert help to understand how to qualify. There are a lot of “tricks” and rules and ways to work with them. It may take some time. You should talk with an attorney who deals with this. Usually the first consult is free.

Wilted

I'll try to call today. Thank you!

Wilted

I have an appointment with an elder care attorney!

M1

Strong work.  Can only help!!