My Mom needs 24/7 care, however, the best I can hope for from Medicaid is 40 hours per week. I am poorer then the church mouse, how do I cover the rest of the time financially? Right now, I spend the nights with her (leaving my teenagers on their own) , she is by herself during the day (I work) and I pray she doesn't fall. My anxiety is pretty high. Her insurance is Kaiser, no long term insurance. TIA
You and the family move in with mom
or
Mom moves in with your family.
Neither ideal.
Are there any other family members that can help out?
With a diagnosis of dementia your mom should not be alone at any time.
Is there an adult Day care that she might go to while you are at work?
Contact your local Agency on Aging and see if she qualifies for any services.
YOU should not be paying for her caregivers or for any of her other expenses.
Spend moms money in providing the caregivers that she needs.
Consider an application for Medicaid if she needs it.
At some point she will need and qualify for Long Term Care.
Not to jump the gun BUT if she does fall and is taken to the hospital you must tell them that it is unsafe to discharge her to home as she does not have caregivers that are there full time. A stint in rehab will give you more time to find the next step. But it is a good idea to have a Care Plan with options A, B, and C in mind.
My MIL (88, in LTC) is in a faith-based facility on Medicaid. She is getting great care even though this place is at least 30-years old and not "shiny and new" like other places. She isn't the same faith and they don't require it. This organization sees eldercare as a mission, so the people there don't see their work as a job. Please consider these types of care facilities for your mom. Also please consider that in-home care by family is great but LOs with dementia often are not getting much social interaction and exposure. My MIL goes on field trips, attends in-house events, clubs. church, musical events, pet visits, etc. She would never be getting much of that in my home. Of course it all depends on what's available where you live and researching takes time. You don't want to have to make a decision in the midst of a crisis, so just start looking a little every week. I wish you all the best and peace in your heart on this journey.