MC/Long Term Care

justjoining8

Hi everyone,

My mother (59) has Alzheimer’s and is started to decline. She has a home health care nurse come in once a day to help her with the basics. Unfortunately, I do not live with my mom (I’m about an hour away and work full time) so I cannot be there to help her as much as I’d like. I’m starting to stress about the future and what it’s going to look like. Soon she won’t be able to live on her own but I can’t afford long term care out of pocket? I’m in MA and from what I’ve seen it’s around $7,000 a month. Any advice is helpful please. I’m starting to feel hopeless and scared

harshedbuzz

@justjoining8

Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

I would encourage you to make an appointment with an elder law attorney to explore your options. If she owns a home, that is generally liquidated to fund care.

I don't think that MA is a state with filial responsibility laws that include financial support meaning mom is responsible for the costs of her own care. If she can't afford that, the lawyer should be able to help you qualify her form Medicaid. In MA, there isn't direct Medicaid for MCF/AL but there are some waiver options. These might help you provide care in your home so you can work or help fund placement. If you do opt for placement, I would opt for something closer to your home rather than where she is now.

HB