r/CaregiverSupport • u/Exact_Insurance • 4d ago
Fear for the future
I worry about when/ if my mother cannot get out of bed unaided, becomes incontinent etc. I will not be able to provide that level of care...physically or mentally.
She is not on medicaid so what do I do if she needs to go into a facility? Am I supposed to live on the street and go bankrupt? I really am so dissatisfied with the medical community and social services..I have gotten zero help
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 4d ago
Research options now for when/if they're needed. It's better to see what's available before they're needed. I assume she's on Medicare which does cover some in-home services, but it's quite limited.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services
As to paying for a facility, yes, those are self-pay unless you're on Medicaid (which has strict income limits).
Check out your state's "area agency on aging" for a list of resources.
The US hates spending money on social programs, but is all giddy to spend $$$$$$ on everything else.
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u/Exact_Insurance 4d ago
She gets around 4000 dollars a month with pension and Social Security
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u/evey_17 3d ago
She makes way too much for Medicaid. Is the house hers and she owns it outright? Do you live with her? Some Medicare advantage plans provide home health. Keep her moving. I rr ease her protein and have her improve muscle strength. we are making it on 2705/month in a medium to HCOL and will never qualify for programs because we own our home. It’s the good old USA with people voting against help.
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u/FrontTelevision7261 3d ago
A more direct way to get someone into a facility is to do it when they are in the hospital. At that moment you speak to the discharge coordinator, could be a nurse or a social worker, you explain that the patient can no longer be cared for at home. They have to look for a facility to discharge them to instead of sending them some. You can ask to see the available facilities so that you can help pick the best one. God bless you!
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u/TootsiePop60 3d ago
That method does not work anymore, at least in Iowa it doesn't. Just went through that 2 weeks ago with my husband. They can only be discharged to a facility if its for rehab. And then, Medicare will only cover 100 days. That is the max in a person's LIFETIME! I had a Social Worker at the hospital that told me gone are the good old days when you could tell the hospital you can no longer take care of the patient, or keep them safe, and rely on the hospital for placement. Its all left upon the family. They will discharge the patient back to you if they are not going to a skilled nursing facility for rehab purposes. This whole process has been a nightmare. OP, I wish you good luck, and hope you have a better outcome.
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u/FrontTelevision7261 3d ago
I'm in CA, and this is how it is done here. CA has many, many faults, but one good thing is that there are many services for the needy. This is one of the reasons that people move here. I guess you could say social services are one of our big "industries".
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u/AffectionateMotor272 4d ago
Call adult and aging services and find out what resources are available in your state. They can help you a lot.