Have you walked your parent through the process of applying for Medicaid or other assistance programs? Do you have helpful advice to share or questions for those who have been there and done that, so to speak?
One piece of advice that was shared with me, with regard to applying for Medicai, was to call the Social Security office to make an appointment. If you just walk in, your wait is likely to be much longer. I was also told to ask, in that phone call, what information you'll need to bring with you so you don't waste the trip.
My mother will be 92 shortly, has lived in a nursing home for just about 2 yrs.,has been paying $6,000 a month for just the nursing home, and will have gone thru her money by the end of 2009. I know she will have to go on medicaid; I am in the process of finding out the procedure for this process. I am really so unsure of everything and nervous and depressed. She has been in a private room as she says she will not be able to be in a room there with some person with a t.v. playing loudly, screaming outloud, etc. She is somewhat coherent even at her age; she is very frail and can't see. I have paid her bills, have all of her files, and have kept good copies of everything. I have a brother but he barely calls her-it all makes him "nervous". So many problems with the nursing home! Any advice would be so appreciated. Thanks. carpfour
We have been through this process with my FIL a couple of years ago. Here are some things that I found helpful.
Check with the social worker at the facility where she is at now. They might be able to give you the name and phone number of the 'social worker' you would see at the 'local' medicaid office.
We live in Maine - - we needed copies of ALL bank statements for the past 5 years.
The 'blue book' value of any vehicles
A list of all the assets.
Normally if you call the medicaid office they will send you a list of all the things you will need.
Some care facilities if you enter under private pay they can transition you right over under medicaid. Check with the social worker at the facility for information on this.
If I can help in any other way let me know.
Cindy
stocks_32@yahoo.com
I called our local office and had a packet mailed to me. It includes information that SSA requires, application forms, instructions and a contact. Once you've received your packet, call your contact for an appointment, fill out the application as completely as possible and keep a copy of every document that you will ever come across again as long as you live. I have his employment records, birth certificate, passport, drivers license, union cards, W-2's, tax returns, medical records, all kinds of crap on a stick that I take with me to dr's, hospitals, nursing centers, SSA, Medicaid, and any other social service offices or landlord that require any information. If you need a POA, get 8 copies or so and also keep a copy on your stick. Document every correspondence and be patient. Medicaid takes about 90 days or so before you will receive an answer. SSA starts paying approx. 5-7 months after you receive an answer.
I'm a Medicaid Specialist for Nursing Home Medicaid. I would love to help anyone who has questions about Nursing Home Medicaid in FL , it is very confusing and everyone tell you different story's. Most people qualify but have no idea that they do and the nursing homes want tell you this not when they get the $6000 payment each month. You also don't need to pay the high attorney fee's to get help with Nursing Home Medicaid.
What is the look back time that Medicaid has to go back after finances. Due to Alzheimers we need to get poor to qualify for the expenses to come.
I think the 'look back time' varies state to state. Here in AZ it is 3 years.
Missy, Don't put your trust in the Social Security Administration for any help OR REASON, THEY ARE NOT THERE TO HELP YOU. Especially the Richmond California Office. NEVER mail or leave with them original documents which they will assure you, they will mail them back to you, because "tomorrow is not in their best interest and you need them now". because I can promise you, they will with negligence and malice lose them and send you repeatedly for new originals. NEVER trust the people and what they tell you. If it is a legal problem and need an attorney, find one, you can trust, that doesn't deal with Social Security Administration, especially the FRAUDS that are planted by the Government for that very reason, "to represent you" as "I worked 20+ years for the Social Security Administration and can "HELP" you. They are the ones out there that help the SSA and themselves in their retirement as legal attorney's. Find an attorney for Elderly Abuse because that is what it will lead to by this SHAM ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENT FRAUDS. ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE, REJECT ANY ONE THAT WRITES YOU AND TELLS YOU THAT THEY HAVE WORKED WITH SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND HAS HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. THEY ARE LIARS AND PUPPETS OF A MISGUIDED BUNCH OF POLITICIANS, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN THAT ARE LOOKING AFTER YOUR BEST INTEREST. YES, NOW YOU GET IT, THAT IS WHY? YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR POLICING BY OUR WONDERFUL LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT. REMEMBER OBAMA, "SENIORS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL GET AT LEAST THE MEDICAL CARE AS THAT OF THE MEMBER OF OUR CONGRESS AND SENATE" WE DO, WE GET THE AT LEAST...0 (NOTHING). REMEMBER THAT, THE NEXT TIME YOU STEP INTO A VOTING BOOTH, BUT DON'T BE TOO OPTIMISTIC LIKE ME (HA!), I AM 72, DISABLED 30% DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN WITH AN ABSCESSED TOOTH, THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE VA, WILL KILL ME OR I WILL LOSE MY LOWER JAW WITH HEART PROBLEM AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. THEY (VA) HAVE ONE DENTIST IN NEVADA AND HE IS BACKLOGGED FOR 4 YEARS WAIT TIME (I HOPE THE ABSCESSED TOOTH KNOWS THAT) OR (I DON'T CASH IN MY PREPAID CREMATION PLAN), BEFORE I CAN GET HELP. BELIEVE, IT IS NOT THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION(THAT HAS BEEN TURNED AROUND) NOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO DO THE SAME FOR (THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR WORTHLESS BUNCH OF FRAUDS) WITH THOSE IN WASHINGTON, DC AND ITS POLITICAL "FRATERNITY".
BEST WISHES(I WOULD SAY GOOD LUCK, BUT, I WOULD HAVE TO USE THAT EXPRESSION HERE AND YOU ARE GOING TO NEED ALL YOU CAN GET, THEREFORE, I WANT YOU TO SUCCEED IN YOUR SEARCH FOR HELP. REMEMBER THE VOTING BOOTH AND WHO NEEDS TO GO IN WASHINGTON, DC THEY GO BY THE NAME OF INCUMBENT OR THE I PROMISE BUNCH ON THE BALLOT (REDUCE THAT TO ZERO, AND YOU GOT YOUR HELP).
DON
Connie,
Are you still out there? Can we still send you questions. I ask only because I cant find them.
Billy
Don, I just wanted to say thank you for your service to this fine country. You've made some really great points about remembering the struggles while in the voting booth.
Thank you Missy,
Knowledge is power, the voting booth is action. I wish we didn't have to use the latter, instead, realize that there are other human beings that have a right to live out their lives, in a caring and healthy life on this planet. Our country is failing us, and that is no fault of those that are sick and dying. So many sacrifices have been made by them and the footsteps we followed are the ones that were before us. When they lead to nowhere (like the bridges in Alaska) and promises are as empty ("Every one will have medical at least, equal to those of Congress and the Senate") as the water holes in the desert, someone else must feel the heat and new water holes have to spring forth, or we all will suffer. Our sacrifices are for others, anything short of that, is failure. Our Nation is failing us, and Washington DC, is why.
Don
CindyB I wonder if you have any ideas for me. My dad did NOT qualify for Vet benefits (WWII vet) but not because of investment assets, since they lost most all of that in the stock market. They have less than $5000 in "disposable assets". He did not qualify for "aid and assistance" because his pension and SS is slightly higher than the allowable monthly income. He had an accident 2 yrs ago at 88 which left him needing 24/7 care and we (my 93 yr old mom and I) opted for me to move in to be his full time care giver over a nursing home. I'm doing this without having any personal income, and while it's ok for now, at 58 I'm certainly not able to "plan for my retirement". This bugs me to no end, but just do not see any resolution. I have until Dec 2010 to appeal this decision, but so far just don't see what good it will do. His income probably will not decrease (though it might in the months to follow given the current laws that will go into effect after that). I would be open to any and all suggestions!!!
Just to clarify, I love taking care of my father, however I know the expense to medicare would far exceed what it is currently costing if he WERE in a facility.
Even though your dad didn't qualify for Vet benefits he is still eligable to go to a vet's home for care. A person from your local VFW or American Legion Post can point you in the direction for a Vet Rep. You will need his DD214 - otherwise known as 'separation papers' to help this process.
You may want to seek out a care facility based on a sliding fee scale. Talk with the social worker at any and ALL of the facilities you check out. Unfortunately you are going to need to repeat your story many, many times before you find a place / person to help.
You may want to check with any or all of the agencies listed below. They may have a suggestion of where to go for help.
the medicaid social worker or anyone that deals with 'state aid' or medicare.
A local agency on aging.
Any type of councelor.
A social worker or religious professional.
A senior center might offer suggestions of who to see.
Anyway these are some ideas Good Luck! Please keep us updated on your progress.
Cindy
Well, thanks CindyB for your reply, but I am not interested in "putting him in a home". My parents have been married for 65 years, and I'm not about to separate them now, that just isn't an option for me. I will continue to care for him here and not worry about my lost income.
You can use these same things to see what's available for home care. I don't think that the VA has home care, but I know there are services available for in home care. Again check with the Senior center or the agency on aging. I think they should have some ideas.
Cindy, thanks so much for your fantastic information! I know our members really appreciate it!
Cindy, The SS-A is a waste of time. Go to the VFW or VA again. If your dad doesn't have medical that will take care of him, now that the Bush-Wackers are gone and Obama has been in office, Vet's are being taken care of. Under SS-A and people like Sen Simpson, you will meet nothing but, frustration like you are experiencing. Never, Ever give SS-A ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS BY MAIL they will lose them every single time and another trick they use to delay you, is change your mother's maiden name and code your file, maliciously misspell information of important personal identification words in your application to stall or deny you benefits. Take a witness with you in their private chambers that are openly having consultation with other "in house" frauds listening to your private conversation. In other words, this is the SS-A and there is a good reason the SS is in front of the A. You won't have the problem with the Veterans Administration because, they have cleaned up their act now. It is a "SHAM GOVERNMENT THAT IS OPERATING IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY AND THE PEOPLE HAVE BETTER WAKE UP BEFORE THE REST OF THEIR RIGHTS ARE TAKEN AWAY" One other thing, move out of the "COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATE YOU ARE LIVING IN TO ONE OF ONLY 8 NON-COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATES" Your state is the problem.
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