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Wondering if anyone can relate to either scenario. Father (78) had a business that didn't make any money. He has no retirement savings. He had 3 strokes and is currently in Long Term Care (application in for Medicaid) but he is improving slowly and there's a chance after hip replacement surgery assisted living may be more appropriate than the skilled nursing facility he is currently in.
I want him to get better but am fully aware if he does he will still need some help (he believes meds are optional and has high risk of strokes which is why assisted living will be important) and that help costs money.
I worry about costs of assisted living given the fact he has no money. I have one sibling with a severe disability. And another that doesn't have a job so I can't ask them for money.
Does anyone have any insight? $5-6k monthly is a lot of money and would put a fairly big strain on my finances. The job to make sure he is taken care of has largely been on me

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Reply to MeDolly
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Do not under any circumstances take over paying for him to be in AL, after 3 strokes he needs LTC.

Let Medicaid take over, as a result, we taxpayers are paying for his care because he did not plan for his old age.

You and your siblings need to start planning for your own retirement years if you do not you will end up just like him with nothing.

Remember " If you do not plan, you plan to fail"
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Reply to MeDolly
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And so, if you spend your money on your father, what will that mean, do you think, for your own aging?
Surely, if you have learned one thing now, it is that it does take an entire LIFETIME of savings (and a good deal of luck and hard work) to prepare to have enough to take care of yourself through aging. Children being able to support your aging is a very rare thing; they are busy with their own lives (and hopefully their own savings).

I very much caution you against using your own or your siblings money for the care of your father.

You are aware of Medicaid now and applications are moving forward for it. After a first few weeks to one month after a stroke there is often little more progression toward a return to an independent life. Your father will not be able to afford ALF which are almost always private pay businesses.

I wish all the best and suggest you will, if you stay around the Forum, learn lots of information, and will be able to share your OWN learning experiences with others.
Wishing you, and your Dad as well, the very best.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Do NOT use your money to pay his bills.

Your extra money is for your rainy day and for your golden years needs.
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Reply to Southernwaver
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I cannot see how an AL will accept a resident from LTC. You can find those answers by yourself by visiting a couple and speak to the marketer about you dad's needs will be.
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Reply to MACinCT
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Do not pay for his care. Not one dime. It is unfortunate that he thought running a business that didn't make money was a good idea. He might have to stay in LTC and apply for medicaid. His options are limited.
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Reply to againx100
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HE has no assets so Assisted Living is out of the question. AL is just that, you need assisting. ALs are not skilled nursing. The aide ratio is lower because the residents should be able to do mostly for themselves. There is no physical therapy unless brought in by the resident. And any cost of that, the resident pays. There is maybe 1 Nurse and she is there maybe one shift and on call the rest of the day. Aides are there 24/7 but have jo medical training.

If Dad needs 24/7 care, the LTC is the better choice. He can't afford care at home and he may fall in the cracks where Medicaid can help.

You do not pay for his care. You do not want to affect your future. You may need all the money you have to care for yourself someday.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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This is sad, but if he can't afford AL and as no assets to pay for it, he can't go to AL. He will have to remain in LTC unfortunately. Some nursing homes have floors that are similar to AL. Less care is needed and the residents living in these areas are not in need of skileld medical care and they aren't out-of-it with dementia. Do a bit of research and see if there are any nursing homes in your area that offer this kind of option.

There aren't a lot of choices when a person is Medicaid without any assets. A faith-based AL type residence could also be an option.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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