I am wondering if anyone has information or experience with applying for a special waiver to be admitted into an assited living facility. My husband justed turned 49 on Sunday and we are in the process of admitting him into an ALF that specializes in Alzheimers. The director just called about us needing to apply for a special waiver due to licensing issues. The ALF is licensed as a Home for the Aged which states it's for residences aged 60 and over. Due to my husbands age we have to get a special waiver that will allow him to be admitted. Not sure how this process goes...any input would be appreciated. The ALF said we need a letter from me and his doctor and the ALF describing how this would be in his best interest and would meet his social and medical needs. Do they ever get denied??? If so is there an appeal process?? Anyone with experience on this???
Sorry, no experience on this one, but I would start by asking the director of the ALF to thoroughly explain the process. I am going to change the title of this thread to include the "young" aspect, so it will catch the eye of our younger members, who may have answers for you.
jlj My daughter works for a large dementia ALF chain and I asked her your question. She said it was a state reg. What state are you in? Physically-not mentally :0)
It must be something that is state regulated. My husband was admitted to ALF at 58. Yes, he was their youngest resident, however, nothing age related was ever mentioned.
It may also be the ALF's regulation. Two ALF's would accept my husband at 58 but several advised me they would not because he didn't meet their age requirement for placement (62). In our case, I think the ALF's who refused considering him didn't want to take him because he had previously been aggressive (to me) and didn't want to jeopardize their older residents, because he was young, strong and physically fit and could be a potential risk to their older population.
Yes...it is a state requirement due to the way they license the AFL under Homes for the Aged which is for residents for age 60 and over. I live in MIchigan. Unfortunately I did ask the director and they aren't sure as they have not done this before. I have even called the Alz Assoc and they are checking into this for me :0) Why is there always age issues around everything related to this disease. If you can have Alzheimers at a young age why are all resources, etc. for seniors. This has been sooo frustrating throughout this journey. We even had to go in the "backdoor" so to speak to get into the neurologist that specializes in Alzheimers because they work in the geriatrics unit that doesn't take patients under age 55. Thanks for the responses so far!
What might it take, then, to cut through this red tape for younger persons so afflicted can be admitted without the loved ones having to go through so much difficulty? Is there any regulations that anyone might know of, that might prevent a facility for EAOD patients? How does this kind of thing work?
The Alz Asso and other groups advocating for people with dementia need to be much more aggressive in their agendas for EOAD patients. When dh was diagnosed we were advised that he is in a very small minority of people with dementia and it is not cost effective to have facilities, programs, etc aimed at that age group. And the problem also comes with "mixing" the EOAD patients with the elderly because typically they are much stronger, in better health and usually not as advanced with the disease and it is perceived they are more of a risk to staff and residents. We contacted the Area Office of the Aging in the state and were advised that no services would be available to DH until 62, many ALF's wouldn't take him, daycare wouldn't take him because he did not fit in with their population (mostly elderly women). Resources for EOAD families are very limited or don't exist at all.
LFL--you are right, and change will only come if those of us affected by EOAD and the other younger-onset dementias make a lot of noise. I think the aging of the Boomers will have an impact on this--the oldest just turned 65 and in the near future, there will be more younger people diagnosed than ever before, just because of the sheer numbers born during the baby boom.
seems pretty strange that set guidelines are pre-determined with age in mind EVEN if the assisted living facilities do have licensing restrictions. and especially the fact that they are under state or federal jurisdictions which are in place to assist and advocate for ANY disabled persons. what are younger afflicted persons to do? find a home type facility seems about the only recourse without a granted 'waiver'. and even then management may discriminate against younger stronger individuals. whatever happened to 'age discrimination' like for employers? i also dont buy into the idea that the facilities can 'discriminate' as to the severity of the disability aka if they have been aggressive or not in the past as a basis for denial- )as long as they are now adjusted on medication and compliant they should be accepted . patients rights under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disability Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act all state the various reasons disabled persons cant be discriminated against. , why wouldnt it apply to EOAD victims?. i think it would be a good idea to ask the licensing dept for a particular facility you are interested in what age restrictions are in place for that type of facility DIRECTLY and not take the word of the facility on its own. they may just be saying they cant take them due to other factors which would make it a legal question.