Devastating disease: Mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and financially

I am in pretty much the same situation - also a retired teacher, 68 and we saved and lived frugally to have a debt free retirement with some cushion. Now - it seems that we are penalized for doing exactly this - our spouses have a disease where they will or do need full time care and we don't qualify for Medicaid. The requirement that we spend down to our last dollars in order qualify one of us for Medicaid leaves the healthy spouse in a terrible spot. It seems so odd that my options are to provide the care myself, or spend more than $8000 a month for LTC. The middle options - day care or home care, are really hard to find in my area, so not really options. I live in Washington State, a community property state, so there are no protections. Would love to know if I'm missing something…it is a very scary place to be when you thought you had done the right things along the way…

There is long term care from Medicaid for middle income people, distinct from low income Medicaid. Jo C used to post about this. The care is to provide a safe, simplified life for the PWD and respite for the caregiver. You might meet locally with others in your situation. Ask your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Area Agency on Aging, or senior center for advice and connection to local resources and support.

Iris

Deep breaths. Since 1988 each state has community spouse (that’s the healthy spouse) impoverishment laws. I was a teacher who retired early to take care of my husband who is going on seventeen years with first MCI diagnosis and now experiencing stage six Alzheimer’s. He’s been on Medicaid for almost five years and living in a memory care facility for four years. His care was about $9000 a month when he was in a nursing home, but recently he’s been accepted in a memory care assisted living community and the monthly is about $4500. When he was in the nursing home, his cost was almost his full social security amount, but now in assisted living he pays almost half of his monthly social security amount. Yes, there is spend down, and the community spouse is allowed to keep half of the cash assets up to a certain amount depends of each state’s laws. Also, the community spouse can buy a new car, if desired, and gets to keep and live in the house. You won’t have to move, unless you desire to. I’ve moved twice since placing my husband. All the proceeds from my house were reinvested into the new house. I do not have a mortgage and just bought a new car. My SS and teaching pension are mine to spend as I wish. I can return to work if I like, sell my house, if I need funds to live as I grow older, and when I pass, the two states he has received state aide (Medicaid) will seek to recover their costs through estate recovery. Our children are aware that they won’t be getting an inheritance. And I am very grateful, that I can continue to live my life and not become impoverished by this costly disease!

I suggest if you have doubts and concerns about your state’s Medicaid laws and your financial future that you meet with a facility social worker or your Area for Aging (agency worked with me to apply for Medicaid and didn’t cost anything) and ask about your state’s Medicaid laws so that you can begin planning. Perhaps do an internet search for your state’s Medicaid community spousal laws. Best wishes for your financial security moving forward.

@RetiredTeacher

Please see a CELA in regard to Medicaid planning. This is the safety net that can spare you some of the financial consequences of this disease for your lifetime. This is what Nowhere is describing as being a "community spouse".

HB