MC Cost

Geot

 I often hear that a plan B must be explored when the time comes that I cannot provide the care my DW needs. I have looked into a memory care facility and the cost for this is astronomical….$586.00 a day. My financial situation does not qualify for Medicaid so this would completely bankrupt us in a very short period of time….I doubt that I am alone in this situation. Dealing with this terrible disease is stressful enough without piling this on as well.

H1235

The cost is absolutely crazy. I would talk with an elder law attorney. There may be things you can do to protect some of the money. The whole Medicaid process is complicated. The qualifications and what is actually covered varies by state. Some states will only cover a nursing home and not mc, others will only cover part of the mc costs and for some it is covered completely, but sometimes only certain facilities. As a spouse not in a facility that complicates things even more. I considered my mil fairly wealthy. By the time she had passed everything was gone and she qualified for Medicaid. I will attach a link that may help with what the situation is for your state.

https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/medicaid-eligibility-income-chart/

easy23

I would speak to an elder care attorney. $586 is very expensive. Check around for other memory care facilities that are more reasonable.

I personally kept my husband home as long as I could and the doctors told me it was time to place him. He was in stage 6. After 1 1/2 years he is in hospice care in a nursing home. Nursing homes take Medicaid, not all memory care facilities do.

Geot

I am presently talking with an elder law attorney restructuring our trust so I will also ask about what to do when the time comes that my DW needs more care than I can provide…. for now just taking it one day at a time.

Quilting brings calm

You might have to check into facilities farther away from you. Not convenient, I know, but an extra half hour of driving each way to a less populated area might be cost savings enough to justify it.

Lilydaisy

You certainly are not all alone with this concern. You didn't say where you are looking but that seems extremely high. I have noticed that some of the newer places are shiny and offer amenities that my DW would not use. Keep in mind the needs of your loved one at that stage. Well-trained, caring and attentive staff; cleanliness, nutritious meals, activities.

annie51

I agree that does sound extremely high for a memory care facility, but maybe that’s normal in your area? @Lilydaisy brings up a good point about looking beyond the glitz and focusing on the needs of your DW. My first choice wasn’t the shiniest, newest or fanciest - but it had big pluses in terms of what I wanted for my DH.

Geot

I just looked up the average cost for 24/7 memory care in my state of Massachusetts and it is $9,840 a month…that is a lot less then $586 a day one facility quoted me. I do agree that when or if that time comes it is about the care and not the glitz of the facility. I have no way of knowing just when my DW may need this, but it still cares me to death.