Spending down
My mother is in a nursing home and on Medicaid. At the moment she has $2100 in her bank account. I've been told I should keep the amount at $1900 to make sure she doesn't go over $2000. I think I have to spend her money on her but she doesn't need anything. It's a little pointless to buy her $200 worth of clothes she doesn't need. Over time she'll have a ton of clothes she doesn't need. She really doesn't need anything. Does anyone know the rules about what I can do with the $200? I obviously don't want to do anything illegal. Anybody know what I can do?
Does she have a TV? Radio? What about a nice new comforter/bed set? Does she like to read? Play games?
If nothing else, does she have any kind of a prepaid burial plan? Here in AZ you can put up to $2000 in an account designated for burial plans. That money can't be touched until the person passes away, and isn't counted against the person.
If "gifting" the money to you is not allowed have her buy you something you need and take the $200 you would have spent on the item and keep it for her.
Buy her a digital picure frame and fill it with scanned copies of family photos. It can sit on her bedside table or next to her favorite chair. She will get so much enjoyment from watching the photos go by as a slide show.
My mother's finances were in the same situation. I prepaid the nursing home $200 worth of hair care. Each time my mom gets her hair cut or cut and permed they withdraw from the account. They only do this when I call for an appointment. I live in Colorado, her Medicaid counselor approved this.
WOW, great suggestions!
Larry, you could also bring in some treats from time to time and share them with your mom and her roommates.
Putting that money into burial fund is best idea I've heard yet, get going ! Sounds foolproof to me, you got to do what you got to do ! Do not feel guilty about anything! & buy her some pretty nighties & slippers , lotions, candies anything to make her feel pretty & needed, bad enough being in there ! Look out of box, sstop looking for necessities, splurge on her , what;s it gonna hurt, who knows how long you'll have her ? Don't overthink it, just do it ! You'll feel better for being the good guy !
The fun thing is....
You have to account for everything with her bank account for the past 5 years.
$60 is the limit for Personal Care items for a month (toiletries, special foods....)
They really do make this hard......
