Just wondering because we are getting to this point and I am hearing it is a very very long process. She doesn't have any assets to speak of other than a car which is probably not worth very much so am sure it won't make the process any easier but would rather get started sooner rather than later if at all possible!!
We went into this process completely ignorant and boy, is hindsight 20-20. Start by contacting Catholic Charities. They can provide the first light in the tunnel. Depending on where you live, there may be social service agencies in your area that can offer terrific support as well. The important thing is to be PROACTIVE!
Has any one thought of the young man applying for Medicaid, and later being subject to estate recovery, or liens? I don't know what that situation is; is he permanently disabled, or just a rough time?
You can choose a nursing home if you start on private pay, once on Medicaid there is no choice, nor assurance of proximity, quality.
Assets limits are key; you can't be a dollar over! Cash value of a Life insurance policy of which you thought "you would get the death benefit" often will be a disqualification. In Georgia I have helped many families with the Funeral Trust (Medicaid Approved), in both pre planning and crisis planning, to preserve those funds, values, for the 'patient', and for family members, instead of losing it to the nursing home, / risking months of disqualification. Do not make that mistake, and a funeral home should NOT be the beneficiary, (visit to a funeral home is NOT required)
Something forgotten: again for my Georgia clients I can convert an inforce Life Insurance policy of any kind with a face value of at least $50,000 into a benefit to pay for private Care or even Home modification, in contrast to letting those polcies lapse or be subject to Medicaid Recovery, it is Medicaid approved and encouraged
However most social workers are not conversant regarding these options
Regarding VA benefits (for WARTIME ERA VETS & SURVIVING SPOUSE), you cannot apply unless the need is present, it is not simply done; "so we are ready in a year or six months". However the preplanning & asset preservation must be! VA guidlines are confusing and misunderstood!
Do not make the mistake of not having a SOLID Health and Finanancial POA in place before some one is mentally incapacitated.
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