I can no longer keep DH safe Now what?

Brokenhearted in Illinois

DH can no longer walk without falling. He will not wait for me to assist. Last night he got up out of bed in the middle of the night and was shuffling around. My Angel must have awakened me because I was exhausted and in a deep sleep.

DH qualifies for Medicaid. How do I find a place for him? I am in touch with a lawyer. Every place I call is private pay only. I get so many different stories from the lawyers, social workers , nurses etc. Why is this so damn difficult?! I really appreciate anyone who has gone down this path

M1

I know this is not a real answer, but have you thought about getting a bed alarm pad that will let you know when he's up? It might help temporarily while you pursue placement. I just got one for my partner's memory care room that alarms to the nurse's station so they know when she gets up at night.

SSHarkey

See if there’s a governmental agency for the aged. Texas has those in each region. They have lots of resources and information to help you find the answers you need. They should have a listing of all the facilities that honor Medicaid.

Jeanne C.

Is he already on Medicaid? If so, reach out to the insurance agency managing Medicaid for him. They should be able to provide a social worker to help you.

Phoenix1966

Have you spoken specifically with a Certified Elder Law Attorney? They specialize in this sort of scenario and are well-versed in your state’s specific Medicaid rules.

It can be a very convoluted process. In my state, Medicaid would not cover Memory Care specific placement until my grandmother’s other resources were gone. And then, only Memory Care facilities that specifically had “Medicaid Beds” available would be covered. MCs in my state are not required to have any. Typically, the facility wanted you to private pay for a few years and would guarantee the LO could then(once the money was gone) transition to a Medicaid bed and age in place. There were years’ long waiting lists for Medicaid beds at many of the facilities I researched.

FTDCaregiver1

One option to consider is reaching out to a PACE program covering your area, if there is one. Link to Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) | HFS (illinois.gov)

Like you, seemed every place I went to was private pay. After I got DW enrolled in our local PACE program, she was placed at a private pay site close by. Yes...a private pay site. PACE worked out a financial payment system whereby I cut a check each month in the amount of DW's monthly SSDI income (minus the $60 allowance) with PACE paying the rest directly to the MC facility. Each month I only got a bill for my amount from the MC facility. The nifty part of this is the facility DW was placed still does not accept direct Medicaid payments but receives direct payments by an agency which brokers Medicaid and other funding to support her living there. PACE deals with Medicaid directly, not the MC facility my wife was placed at. Not saying this would be the best fit for you, and there are a lot of hoops and requirements to jump through but might be worth looking into in solving the age-old problem of securing a good placement for your DH at a private pay location without going broke. Good Luck!