Is there a procedure to apply for Medicaid, Guardianship on my own?

ZackFootInMouth

I may not be able to pay the continued retainer for a CELA and may have to be forced to re-evaluate my options for handling my demented loved one who is suddenly entering late stages of dementia.

Ed1937

Hopefully Jo C. will see this thread. She applied for Medicaid, and was successful. She should be able to give you some pointers.

It might pay you to get suggestions from the local court house for guardianship cases. From what I understand, it is typically expensive and time consuming.

dayn2nite2

My mother's nursing home social worker helped us apply.  She told us what documentation to get together, and really by this time she was completely out of money except for her monthly Social Security check.  No transfers of money or property had occurred.

harshedbuzz

ZFIM-

This is difficult.

This is one of those reasons it's best to see a CELA for Medicaid planning ahead of need when possible. Part of that advice would be to do the guardianship while the PWD has funds to pay when you succeed. Also, a CELA would suggest you pre-pay final expenses ahead as part of your planning. 

If there's no money, I would contact your Area Agency on Aging to see what steps to take and if there are any low-cost or pro bono resources available.

HB

LadyTexan

Greetings Zack.

Early in the journey with my EOAD husband, I discussed guardianship with an elder law attorney. The attorney warned me that the process can be long and time consuming and expensive. DH and I had VERY limited resources. I was certain that if I started the guardianship process and was not awarded guardianship, DH would see the process as a betrayal  In his demented mind he was still independent and would rather be homeless on the streets than be in guardianship. I do not have actual experience with it. Instead I was able to put controls in place to limit DH's access to cash, credit cards, vehicles, et cetera.

No doubt Medicaid was in our future. As forum participant, Crushed informed me early on, an Alzheimer's diagnosis will fast track most families to financial ruin. That was certainly our case. 

Engaging the CELA was important for me to understand the complexities of Medicaid in Texas, spend down, exempt assets, et cetera. At the time I did not even understand what guardianship was. For us and our limited means, engaging the CELA was a worthwhile investment so I could understand what our options would be down the road. DH died before I made the Medicaid application so I do not have 1st hand experience with that either.

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