After dragging my feet for far too long, I finally took the first step for NH placement for my husband..........It is so true how we wait too long....After being told last week that he needed immediate placement, I had to do it. Gosh, it was hard, but I have started the process.
The first NH was actually quite nice. Several of the staff new my DH too, so that helped. If the storm holds off, I will visit another one tomorrow.
I have so many questions.........Just trying to deal with the present for now......not the future or kick myself for the past.....After all, do ANY of us actually PLAN for this disease?
One question.........My husband receives both SSD and LTD. Does anyone know if any of those funds would be available for our mortgage payment? I'm wondering if this could possibly happen should the house be placed in my name only.......Or, does his name need to remain on the mortgage in order to use his income for the mortgage....I would love to move, even rent, but selling the house right now would be too much to handle. I need to slow down and put one foot in front of the other....I may need your help remembering that one! ;)
Has anyone experienced the above? DH is 62, I'm 53........We are in that 'hole'.
Thank goodness for everyone here! If not for this site and all of you, I have no doubt that I would be using the rope for another purpose.......
Ann, while waiting for Jane, why don't we clarify a few things. If you want her input, you must be thinking about qualifying your husband for Medicaid? I understand you mean Social Security Disability, but not sure about LTD. Is that a long-term disability policy that is making payments, or do you mean your husband has long-term care insurance?
Sorry........ Yes, LTD is Long Term Disability. It was a fluke that we even had that, but after a collection of kidney stones, I decided he should consider it. (Yes, I did make that decision, he didn't have a clue) lol........Anyway, he receives both Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability. However, it barely covers the mortgage and health insurance. After paying for those 2 biggies, there is never enough money for heat, electricity or food.
I was told that when applying to a nursing home, he would automatically start the Medicaid process. Medicare kicks in next month. Again, I'm wondering if any of his income would be left for the mortgage or does it go to the nursing home? Is the spouse left with anything to help pay for the mortgage? Of course, I can't consider selling the house until he is placed.
I do hope to get back into the working world asap, but also realize I can't do this until DH is placed.
AnnMW1157, What State do you live in. That will help with the answers. Most States will allow the spouse at home a monthly income of $21,912 as of right now. That can be taken from the NH spouse's income if your own income does not amount to this much. Some States allow more. give me more information on your State. You do not want to sell the home until AFTER your husband qualifies for Medicaid, and you do want the home in your name, especially if you ever plan to sell it. IF you sell while your husband is still alive you will only have a certain amount of time to replace the home in order for it not to disqualify you or your husband. Just give me more information. You do not want to automatically start the Medicaid application until you have time to talk to an elder law attorney. If you do apply and are qualified it will be retroactive for the month that you apply, so don't do it immediately. Give yourself time to seek help even if only to ask questions.
If you do go back to work you will not qualify for the full amount from your husband they will take dollar for dollar from what you earn before allowing you any of his.
Another question...........Is this amount to include the mortgage even if the house is still in both of our names? Will he no longer be responsible for house expenses because he is in a nursing home if he receives our only income?
I have a question. Does Medicaid pay for Assisted Living? My husband goes to a Assisted Living facility for Daycare. He is getting closer to placement, and I would love him to be able to be placed there since he already knows the staff.
AnnMW1157, question: As for the mortgage allowance is is allowed no matter whose name the house is in. Medicaid will allow excess housing allowance if you can prove that you have a greater expense for housing than is already calculated in the amount they automatically allow, and if the excess of your husbands income allows this. Even for the $21,855 your husbands income would have to be enough after all his health expense etc.
question: Medicaid would be retroactive to the month you apply. If you apply end of March they would pay medical bills from March 1.
As for the elder law attorney. I would not go that route if you only have your home, car and furnishings, you mentioned that after your mortgage payment there is not enough money left for heat, food etc. If you have no other assets to save then do not waste your money on the attorney. If your husband already needs placement and you do not already have a POA then it is probably to late for that. If you have no more than $21,855 in money and no other assets then why pay the attorney. Medicaid will allow you to keep all of this, you do not need an Attorney in order for that to happen. What is a must for some folks is not a must for everyone.
Kadee, I am not versed in Assisted living but I do not think Medicaid pays for Assisted living. I deal only with long term care medicaid and am not really good in that. It is so technical.
Jane........you are a Saint! Thank you so, so much!
So, the housing allowance may or may not be enough to cover over mortgage, but it is still a line item and considered?
I'm assuming that heat and electricity would be line items as well......
Yes, I do have POA. At least we did that when he was dx'd along with updating the wills.
No,we don't have any other investments.........Our investement was our son's education. We'll never regret that.
I should have the house placed in my name after he qualifies for medicaid? If I sell the house before he dies, I'd be penalized? I was just thinking that I would downsize to save money, if possible. But, if it would be a money wash, I wouldn't do it.
KADEE--I don't think Medcaid pays for ALF either or if they do, they don't pay the same amount as for a NH. I'm almost sure I have either heard that or read it before. However, ASF is less expensive and I do believe there are other options available for payment........But, don't take my word for it.........and good luck!
Ann, The housing allowance is figured in the $21,855 amount that I mentioned this amount is figured even if a person does not have a mortgage certain amounts are allowed anyway. unless your housing cost go beyond what they have allowed in this figure. You must remember that they automatically allow a certain amount for housing that is included in this total. If you go over this with a high mortgage, heat etc then the very maximum amount they allow you all total is $2,739 per month but that is hard to get. You sometimes have to jump through hoops to get this.
Another thing Ann, you can always go to your Medicaid state office, ask questions such as you have just asked here on this site and they are required to tell you. You tell them you are not ready to apply, you do not want an assessment at this time you only want to ask questions. Be sure you do not sign to apply at that time. ONLY ASK QUESTIONS.
Kadee--Medicaid doesn't pay for an ALF, but in our state (MD) it does pay for adult daycare. At each of the 3 centers my husband has attended, there were clients who were able to atttend with Medicaid footing the bill. Perhaps the reason the program does pay for daycare is that attending can keep a person out of an ALF by allowing the family respite. I don't know if this can help in your situation, I thought I'd mention it.
In Fl. medicaid waiver does pay for ALFs under specific reasons. As facilities are having a rough time filling beds the administer will often help you.
If the maximum is 2,739........we're up a creek. Our mortgage, taxes, insurance, heat and electricity costs are higher than that per month. Yes, we live in Vermont and it is expensive. Again, I would downsize, but selling the house would work against us too........And should I go back to work, that dollar amount is lowered, as I understand it.
We have nothing else......This disease has destroyed our family as it is now........How in the world can we manage the additional costs of a nursing home?
AnMW1157, Please do not let all this scare you. MarilynMD mentions day care and help from Medicaid, bluedaze mentions that sometimes ALF is covered and I also told you to check in the Vermont Medicaid office about the new program that they had hoped to have by last year where Medicaid would cover NH type care in the home.
You must remember that the rules for Medicaid long term and day care and other help from Medicaid are completely different as are the resource limits and the amount the spouse is allowed to have. These all have different asset guidelines and I am only telling you of the guidelines for Medicaid Long Term Care in a Nursing Home. I do not know all the other rules, I have never been involved in them.
I want to mention something else, Ann. You say that "it has been recommended that my husband be placed."
Do YOU think he needs to be? Sometimes, most of us have found, we don't HAVE TO do what is recommended by someone who sees our spouse only occasionally. At least we don't have to do it immediately. Can you ask your son for help navigating all the medicaid stuff?
I'm the classic caregiver who has waited too long with placement........My husband should have been placed at least a year ago. The doctor is also worried about my heath and I'd have to agree at this point.
My son is still at Cornell and working on a research project for NASA. He did look over the information, but at 23, hasn't a clue either!
Actually MOST people think my husband looks and sounds just fine........actually getting better!!!! So, if he can't fool this doctor, he must be really declining.
He has required 24/7 help for almost 3 years now.......Every day brings something new......which is something you all know anyway. I guess I'm burned out.....
Ann--don't get upset until you have checked out what applies in Vermont. The Medicaid program varies from state to state, you can't make any decisions until you find out exactly what your situation is and what your husband might be eligible for. Jane mentioned a program that allows you to have NH type care in the home--here, it is called Medicaid Waiver. In our state there is a waiting list, you should check on it asap.
I think that type of care in Vermont is called Choices for Care. I have talked with the NH about this and am to receive the application. I've called again to find out when that might be......as I thought it would be right off!
Thanks for your advice.......I'm trying to take a deep breath.