My mom is in Nurs. home for recent broken hip. Medicare will no longer pay for care. If she stays there, will be paying $300/day out of pocket, and within 4 months all her funds will be gone (will have to apply for medicaid).
We are instead looking to bring her to our house to live. I am a nurse and would have to take a leave from my job as she is unsafe to stay alone (some dementia and unable to walk alone). HIring an aide to come in for all the hours I am gone is not an option.
Can we charge her monthly rent/board to cover all of the extra expenses we will have and providing her care, and all services-- laundry, transport, all meals, supervision, etc.? (would be less then what she receives monthly in pensions. not touching her small savings)
If she would need to apply to medicaid in the future, would that be a legitimate expense? (she would be paying over $8000/month to stay in nursing home, over $3000/month if in assisted living) .
Because there may be family conflict, and because it may be necessary to apply for Medicaid in the future, I advise you to keep very careful records of your expenses on his behalf -- trips to doctors, incontence supplies, whatever. And also to put the care and payment arrangement in writing. Realize that you also sometimes need to pay a professional caregiver, unless your sister is willing to provide respite care so that you can get away regularly. No one can do this 24/7/365.
I suggest that you consult an attorney who specializes in Elder Law for advice on what to do now.
Your Medicaid application would be considered again after a penalty period based on how much you "gave away." Would your daughter help you out for that period? Between your SS and her help, if you can self-pay for that penalty period then you could be on Medicaid.
But I think the first step is to see a lawyer -- and not who handles divorces or tax problems or intellectual property. One who specializes in Elder Law.
Thank you for sharing one of the pitfalls of using your money to enhance the value of someone else's home. Maybe it will keep someone else from learning the hard way.
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