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  1.  
    I placed my DH in November at a nursing home 2 blocks away. Things are going well,especially for my DH. I have been paying the nsh home $3400, an amount set by my attorney. The nsg home took him with intent of medicaid picking up and paying from entrance date... It has been near 9 months and he is still not approved. Has anybody experienced this? Im quite worried about these circumstances. Worried they will still take my house. Worried about my financial future? My attorney just says, it will happen, He will get it.
    • CommentAuthorladylimbo
    • CommentTimeJul 26th 2016
     
    Please, try not to worry, I had panic attacks and days/nights without sleep over this (the financial end of this nightmare). It will happen and it seems you have an attorney, so rely and trust him/her. I could not have gotten through the business end of this catastrophe without my attorney, well worth the fee and in the end it all came together for my husband being placed, at least the financial part of the journey. Since then it's been up to me to start over, totally starting over, financially and everything else.
  2.  
    It can take forever for a Medicaid application to be approved. I would say be as cognizant as you can of how it works, so you can be knowledgeable about what your attorney is doing--then just let the attorney do what you're paying him for. The caseworkers are probably way behind and overwhelmed, if Kentucky is anything like NY. In terms of them taking your house, I would venture to say that your county is probably not interested in owning real estate. Again, work with your attorney to make sure you are protected as much as possible against future liens or whatever...if your county is going to try to recover costs after your husband's death by putting liens on your house or whatever. The goal is to get your husband the care he needs without impoverishing you.
  3.  
    It isn't easy to not worry after waiting already 9 months . Two weeks ago they threatened to stop his medicine. And turn me over to a coll croon agency. My attorney called them and they backed off. This is a nightmare! The whole Alzheimer's experience is a nightmare!
  4.  
    Your attorney should also be staying on top of things with your local Dept. of Social Services--probably should be handling things at a supervisory level. Keep an eye on things to make sure he is coordinating between DSS, the facility...and running interference for you with issues like collection agencies (Totally inappropriate...Good Lord. But as you can see, getting Medicaid in place is not for wimps or sissies.) What is the average wait for Medicaid in your county? In my NY county, it was six months. I don't know what it is in Ohio--Mim might be able to shed some light on that, just for grins. I was just thinking that if nine months is just the norm, then all the players should be aware of that, and not ragging you about it.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2016
     
    I forget her name, but there was a spouse here who by the time Medicaid was approved her husband had either died or it was just before he died. She had a real headache dealing with them before then after, if I remember right, it was another big headache getting them to pay since he had passed already.

    It should not be like that. It should be obvious that it is necessary. It is cruel to make it so difficult.
  5.  
    They said the norm was 3to 4 months when I hired them. Of course my application has had problems. Things they didn't tell me to do or not do. Anyway the hearing has been set for Aug 23. They say they will take action to avoid the hearing. I hope so! I'm pretty discouraged! I can't imagine what some of you have gone through! God Bless each of you!
    • CommentAuthorMim
    • CommentTimeAug 4th 2016
     
    I just found out that Dan's Medicaid has been approved...it was about 3 months. There are still some things that I need to question, such as I will be paying $235.00 each month. I'm not sure why, or what wasn't covered. I guess maybe we are still too rich in their eyes!!! Sarcasm, of course. I don't know how we could live on much less. I will meet with the social worker next week (hopefully) & she may have some answers for me by then.
    I had given her permission from the get-go to act as my representative with Medicaid...I felt she was trustworthy & it has proven to be so. I don't know if the ones still waiting did that, or If they are doing it all on their own....? I could not handle this by myself, especially now that the chemo brain has settled in big time. I think I may become Dan's roommate if this "condition" becomes permanent! Sheesh, I can't find things, I've neglected my checkbook, I can't think of words that I've used my whole life....no, I don't think it's Alz....just a hopefully temporary condition caused by chemotherapy. i won't be on here too often, as I've already upset Lindylou in a previous post. I mis-read her post, & I think my response hurt her feelings..sometimes it's just better to be quiet!
    • CommentAuthorLindylou*
    • CommentTimeAug 4th 2016
     
    Mim, you did not upset me!!!!!!!! All I thought was I'd written what I wrote unclearly, which I did. I want you to know that I think of you frequently and light a candle for you every Sunday at church. (Actually I drop a stone into a jar of water, a tradition in our church which means the same thing spiritually as candles do.) Being sick and being caregiver, both. I figure you need whatever help the universe can give you.

    I'm glad the medicaid came through. I pray KY caregiver's medicaid comes through soon.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeAug 4th 2016
     
    Congratulations Mim on getting the Medicaid approved. Yes, I hear chemo brain fog can be horrible. Praying it is just temporary and will clear up sooner rather than later.

    For all those still waiting on the Medicaid - pray it gets approved sooner rather than later too.
    • CommentAuthorMim
    • CommentTimeAug 4th 2016
     
    Lindylou, thank you...you're very kind.

    That tradition of dropping a stone in a jar of water..very interesting. Had never heard of that. At our church, one Easter time, we each got a small stone. If there was someone we needed to forgive, or ask for forgiveness for ourselves, we would lay that stone representing forgiveness at the foot of the cross. I rather liked that.

    Yes, Charlotte...the chemo brain thing is kind of disturbing!
  6.  
    Thank you Lord! He has been approved for Medicaid ! Ten months plus! I hope it wasn't a dream! Thanks for your prayers ! God Bless!
    • CommentAuthorMoon*
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2016
     
    Ky caregiver,

    I'm so happy for you. It must be a big relief. Take a deep breath and relax a little.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeSep 20th 2016
     
    PTL. So glad it finally came through.
    • CommentAuthorMim
    • CommentTimeSep 20th 2016
     
    Ky caregiver, I am so happy for you. It does relieve some of the burden this disease places on us...quite a bit of the burden in fact! I still have to pay so much per month though, a small amount, but pay nonetheless.
  7.  
    Yes I have to at also, $3400. But Medicaid picks up the rest, I can handle it,that's what ,DH draws, I get to keep the rest, but I'm ok. Thank God for my nursing career.
  8.  
    If I have real estate, savings and income from my job and my DH has his real estate and retirement check. Does Medicaid take my real estate, savings and income also if he has to go that route?
  9.  
    Just an update, I had my real estate and savings before we were married.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeSep 30th 2016
     
    You need to speak with a attorney versed in Medicaid and estate planning. There are ways to protect some things, but depending on the state they very well might require you to sell real estate other than the place you are living in before qualifying. In some states it does matter and others it doesn't what you came into the marriage with. So an attorney can tell you best.
    • CommentAuthormyrtle*
    • CommentTimeSep 30th 2016
     
    Waning Moon, I strongly second what Charlotte says. Getting financial advice from a lawyer who specializes in elderlaw is one of the most important things you can do. The financial aspects of this will affect many of your decisions so you need to get this advice at the earliest possible time.
    • CommentAuthorxox
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2016
     
    You must see a Medicaid certified elder care attorney ASAP. The state you are in makes a difference. A community property state will put your assets together. Income in your name only should be safe. Sometimes you want to convert a retirement fund into an annuity in your name only. LTC Medicaid is not like regular Medicaid. As a rule of thumb, the well spouse keeps the house, a car and $X. Within the 5 year lookback certain uses of money are not allowed, such as education for a child. But you need an eldercare attorney from you state to help you. The laws are different for every state and they change every year.
    • CommentAuthorJane**
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2016 edited
     
    Mim, my heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine fighting the Alzheimer disease and at the same time going through chemotherapy. I year after my husband passed away my daughter and only child was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She had aggressive chemotherapy and it has now been 2 years and she still fights the brain fog. Searches for words etc.

    If it were not for her phone where she writes down everything to give her a reminder we would not be as well off. Take your smart phone write down everything you need reminders for and get alerts. It has saved her job

    The Alzheimer and cancer all at one time would be overwhelming to say the least!!

    Jane
    • CommentAuthorJane**
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2016 edited
     
    Waning moon,
    Your State makes all the difference as the other folks have stated, however in most states if your savings is in a retirement account. I mean a qualified retirement account,then it would be safe. If your real estate is in your name only the the State you live in makes A difference.

    What State are you in?

    As far as an anunities they are very complicated when it comes to Medicaid. Don't just go out and purchase one. The Annunity has to meet certain guidelines and Medicaid has to be beneficiary after a spouse and child. They also have to meet other guidelines. You have to have a certified Medicaid elder law attorney ifyou apply for Medicaid. Believe me it will pay for itself

    Jane
    • CommentAuthorMim
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2016
     
    Jane thank you for your very kind comment. I hope & pray that your daughter continues to fight the good fight, as I suppose we all must do. Life is NOT easy, but we're hanging on. I've had a good, positive prognosis, finished chemo (the chemo brain will probably hang around for a while, since I'm OLD!), & I even have a few bristles of hair on my head...
    My husband is doing okay considering what is going on, he is in a care facility (don't know if I've mentioned that before - cannot remember), so I know he is being cared for...maybe not quite like at home, but I'm pretty satisfied with it. I could never care for him here & take care of myself too, that would be impossible.
    We do what we must, don't we?
    • CommentAuthorxox
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2016
     
    Jane, god about your statement on annuities. There are Medicaid approved annuities and I have read they can pay back your investment quickly but you want an eldercare attorney to guide you.
    • CommentAuthorJane**
    • CommentTimeOct 18th 2016
     
    Paulc,
    Yes, it is true that the annuity can pay back fast. If you are in A State where Medicaid anunities are approved then once Medicaid determines what amount is over the spousal resource allowance the rest can be put into what is called a Medicaid allowed anunities (not all anunities are the same as this) that is why you must have an attorney to do this.

    The Medicaid anunities can pay back at $10.000 per month or more no cap is. Set on the amount that can be placed in one. Most attorneys buy one that can pay back at the fastest rate. That allows the spouse at home to keep all liquid assets
    • CommentAuthorJane**
    • CommentTimeOct 18th 2016 edited
     
    For some reason my star was dropped from my name when I tried to put it back in it says already in use my another user so I had to put two stars to make it work. Sorry
    •  
      CommentAuthormary75*
    • CommentTimeOct 18th 2016 edited
     
    Well, Jane, both number of stars are showing in your last three posts. I don't know why, but then computers frustrate me. It's either do it their way, or no way.
    Lately I've been noticing the same sort of thinking from, for example, stores and banks. There's not much reasoning going on there. It's all automatic and automatic thinking and too bad if they make an error. Even if you do contact them by a phone number you finally track down, you end up talking to someone in the Philippines. (Actually, she was the only one who did make any sense.)
    Jane, I recognized your name when you began posting again, and slowly, it all came back to me. You were our financial expert back in the days of Divvi, Imor, Nancy B, Starling, Bluedaze and so many other outstanding contributors. Being a Canadian, your financial advise didn't always apply to me, but I remember being struck by the idea that if I hustled my butt, I could find out for myself the Canadian laws. In one instance, it meant finding the best lawyer in Vancouver, but it paid off in the end.
  10.  
    Waning Moon. I hope you have seen an elder are person.and not all are created equal! Ask your nsg home for references who get Medicaid for them! It matters which state you are in. I am getting to keep my Retirement accounts.