Can my home be taken if my mother lives there but her care must be paid for?

Vj6464 asked...

My question is, can the state take her home if she goes into a nursing home since I have only been living with her for two years and I am also disabled? The deed is now in my name.

I divorced two years ago, and my mother offered me her house to come live with her and take care of her. This has been very draining as I also have congestive heart failure, diabetes, and other health problems. I'm just more mobile and she is using a walker with difficulty. I get no pay as she's my mother and I don't want it, but this is my home now and in my name and I don't want the nursing home to take it if she has to go into one. I'm really having to watch her meds so that she doesn't overdose on some or forgets that she has taken them. She has vascular dementia and is getting worse. I'm trying so hard to keep her at home as long as possible but she is getting difficult regarding her cats, which just makes more work for me. I get tired really easily with the heart failure and I injured my back trying to lift her when she fell. She is very weak and has incontinence problems and it''s getting to be more than I can handle and I'm having a very difficult time with depression. Mother can not do anything for herself. I get her water, food, and so on and take it to her. She can usually make it to the bathroom. She can't bathe herself and has trouble dressing and will sleep in the same outfit a few days in a row. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Expert Answer

The state cannot take your mother's former home since she no longer owns it, and the transfer to you by your mother two years ago should not affect her Medicaid eligibility because you are her disabled child. So, if your mother has to enter a nursing home, you will be able to apply for Medicaid for her without worrying about loss of your home. In addition, until your mother goes into a nursing home, you should check to see if she is eligible for Medicaid coverage of home care. This might also include payments direct to you as her primary caregiver.