Elder sibling recently Dx'd; I'm struggling with coordination of relevant professionals
If you read between the lines, I'm sure you can probably sense that I'm overwhelmed. I have a husband (has his own health issues) and we are empty-nesters. I am also still working. Thus, I'm finding it challenging and frustrating to find the answers and support I need, which lately has revolve around getting a handle on her financials, and understanding how to fund assisted living—and how long we can stretch her modest savings and meager pension.
I feel like she needs an elder lawyer, financial investment manager, and tax advisor rolled into one. This has been a roadblock for months now. Meanwhile, I'm concerned what will happen to her if she isn't placed in a proper assisted living community (with option for transition to MC) in the next 3 to 4 months. Living in my home is not an option, even if I could manage to care for two challenging adults at once.
Neither the memory clinic, social worker, nor the local support agencies have been able to provide the support or answers we need. Meanwhile, I cannot sleep through the night because I'm always stressing over the situation, and feel that my own health is deteriorating.
My apologies for rambling. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Comments
-
Welcome. I would see an elder law attorney as soon as possible. They understand Medicaid, qualifications, what is covered and can give advice on the finances leading up to filing (if it becomes necessary). Many facilities have a waiting list to get in. I would start looking now and get her on a list. Look at places close to you. If your first choice doesn’t have an opening, maybe it would be worth going with something else with the plan to move her when possible. This is not ideal, but she is or not safe living on her own and it might be worth it. Don’t worry about keeping her in her hometown. She probably won’t be on board with this move, you might not even want to tell her til you arrive at the assigned living. Even then she might do better if you tell her it’s because she needs therapy (therapeutic fib). Trying to figure out how long the money will last, while somehow also guessing how long she has is an impossible task. Do the best you can and try not to beat yourself up is you things don’t go the way you had expected. If you are as stressed as I think (as stressed as I was during this time), see your own doctor about something mild to help you relax. I will attach a Medicaid link that may help some.
https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/medicaid-eligibility-income-chart/
2 -
Contact the local Council on Aging for the county she resides in.
It's a free, non-profit service that can put you in touch with local services to help you and your sister.
They can refer you to legal services specializing in elder law who know the state's specific laws and regulations.
See ncoa.org for more information.
0 -
To cut through the financial and legal roadblock, what you specifically need right now is an Elder Law Attorney (look through NAELA, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) and an Aging Life Care Manager (ALCA). An elder law attorney specializes specifically in calculating how long modest savings and pensions can fund Assisted Living before transitioning into Medicaid-funded Memory Care, without putting family members on the hook. Meanwhile, a care manager can take over the legwork of evaluating facilities and finding local resources in her specific county.
For your own immediate survival, stop hauling her laundry across county lines. Use her funds to set up a local wash-and-fold laundry pickup service or hire an agency companion for two hours a week to handle her grocery runs. Freeing up your weekends from driving and chores will give you the breathing room you desperately need.
1 -
Thanks all for the advice and nudges in the right direction!
1
Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more
Categories
- All Categories
- 699 Living With Alzheimer's or Dementia
- 403 I Am Living With Alzheimer's or Other Dementia
- 296 I Am Living With Younger Onset Alzheimer's
- 19.1K Supporting Someone Living with Dementia
- 5.9K I Am a Caregiver (General Topics)
- 9.3K Caring For a Spouse or Partner
- 3.4K Caring for a Parent
- 248 Caring Long Distance
- 207 Supporting Those Who Have Lost Someone
- 13 Discusiones en Español
- 1 Vivir con Alzheimer u Otra Demencia
- 1 Vivo con Alzheimer u Otra Demencia
- Vivo con Alzheimer de Inicio Más Joven
- 12 Prestación de Cuidado
- 3 Soy Cuidador (Temas Generales)
- 8 Cuidar de un Padre
- 23 ALZConnected Resources
- View Discussions For People Living with Dementia
- View Discussions for Caregivers
- Discusiones en Español
- Browse All Discussions
- Dementia Resources
- 8 Account Assistance
- 15 Help
