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She has dementia and I need help with in home care. Your website information is confusing. On one hand it says there is help available, then again it answers my question by saying "the VA does not provide services for "non veteran" spouses" which is totally not related to the question. I believe it would be more beneficial for me to speak with someone over the phone. My daughter and I care for my mother in our home. She is 98 years old. I am having a difficult time getting help for her through Medicare. The state wants me to provide information going back five years, which I don't have. She has been evaluated as nursing home eligible, however I want to take care of her as we always promised. I don't understand why it's so difficult for me. I have seen others get home care help, in home therapy, visiting nurses, music therapy, meals on wheels and any other available services. We are ordinary poor people. My mother's resources are meager, a burial fund of about $7600 (no life insurance). Please help me. Thanks, Roxiann

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The burial asset is going to make Medicaid impossible, if I am not mistaken. Call your local area agency on aging and they will be able to point you in the right direction. Otherwise, you might need to find a medicaid lawyer for elders who is willing to work with you on paying their fee. Or might be there is someone doing pro bono work. But start with area agancy on aging.
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The VA has an Aid and Assistance for Vets who fought during a War. The Vet can get $1700, the spouse $1200 for their care at home on in a facility if medicaid is not paying for the facility. Like in a AL. Call your county office. Check out that burial thing. You may be able to prepay for her funeral. I'm going to check it out after the first of the year.
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I think you mean Medicaid, rather than Medicare, which doesn't require any documentation for a 5 year look back period. Your mother should have gotten Medicare years ago.

The VA has a website at which questions can be posed, and information provided: iris.custhelp

(Sometimes the links are deleted; if so, then google VA Inquity Routing and Information)

Search online for the nearest VA outpatient hospital near you, call and speak with someone in the Eligibility Department and ask about applying for benefits for your mother.

Or you can check with your county as well as the state to determine if they have veterans' departments that help you apply for benefits. VFW and American Legion will also help, and know how to expedite an application because they're so experienced. And they do it for free.

We went through the county VA Veterans Services department, which prepared the initial application and supporting data for service connected disability qualification, then e-mailed it to the American Legion office locally for processing.

You mentioned various services: home care help, in home therapy, visiting nurses, music therapy, meals on wheels .

Home care help might be provided if your mother qualified for it through the VA; some people though do pay for it out of pocket.

In home therapy can be prescribed by a physician, for a limited time, and paid for by Medicare. Same with visiting nurses.

I don't know of any governmental service that pays for music therapy; we go to local community and library events for our free concerts.

Meals on Wheels costs $3 per meal in our area and is restricted to people who don't have their own transportation. My father gets it, and also gets extra meals for the holiday. In his area, the service is provided through the township senior center; in other areas I believe it might be provided through the Area Agency on Aging. You'll have to do some research for your specific area.
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Muni, no offense intended, but I think capitalism has more to do with the proliferation of places for elders; money is a strong motivating factor. And one of the benefits of capitalism is that it responds to needs and creates solutions, even if they aren't the best under the circumstances.

I know my father would never consider it a blessing if I put him in a facility; he'd consider it heartbreaking.

This really is a personal decision.

But your points are interesting and reflective of your opinion. I hope your book is successful and helps people with the difficult task of decision making throughout these often long processes of caring for our elders.
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I have told myself I will not promise anything. My daughter, RN, has told me there will come a time when I can no longer care for Mom. I'm praying I never have to make that decision to place her in a NH. But, I know my limitations physically and that I won't be able to be there for her eventually.
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My wife is home and in hospice care--once a day in the morning they come. That's Medicare paid. I also have Medicare pick up care taker hours for when I work. They attached (money paid out) the house but I can still live here--collected when I sell. That's fine with me because my sweet wife is home. Contact your local county aging agency for help. We have combined income--her Social Security and my net pay of total $45,000 and she qualified. Yes they did go back 5 years of bank numbers. I also got my mortgage lowered with a hardship request. Saved $400 monthly. That's another government program--thank you Mr. President.
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Oh, your bank will help get receipts going back 5 years.
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Edward, you qualified for help from the AAA with that income; wonder if it's different different places; they said here the couple I tried to get if for theirs was too high and it's about a third less than yours
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I'm in Pennsylvania. Not sure if that matters. But I have people come over everyday that I work. I was told directly that it was covered by Medicare--not Medicaid. Neither of us are vets. As I said--it comes out of my home at the end. I rather they do this then a nursing home. She gets doted on at home.
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The "burial Fund" if in her name will disqualify her for a MEDICAID Nursing home; if things end up going that wayI I suggest a FUNERAL TRUST which is MEDICAID exempt.

With a properly certified VA application, and a caregiver agreement she should meet VA eligibility, and hopefully she has some Social Security/Retirement to help along with the VA amount of up to $1.149. I am in Georigia, have helped hundreds. There are many nuances to the VA application.
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I understood that; somehow got the idea there was more by going through the AAA; didn't think you had to do that for Medicare or that they attached your house; can you explain a little more?
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I've never heard of Medicare placing a lien against a home. Edward, who told this to you?
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Medicare pays ELIGIBLE medical expenses; it does not place a lien, MEDICAID can do estate recovery after death. If she has $7,600 in her name; or has transferred it to you in the past 60 months, it would have to be paid towards Private pay Nursing Home before MEDICAID will kick in. If you are intent on setting that $$ aside then the Medicaid Approved Funeral trust is a good idea, NEVER give a Funeral Director your budget in advance; no more than you would tell a car dealer you want to spend XX amount on a car. The Surviving Spouse amount from VA is $1,149 for 2016 ("the AAA", ????)
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Aid and Assistance should be available. this is if she stays in the home or in assisted living rather than a nursing home as I understand it. They should pay her about $1200 per month that you use to pay a caregiver - this is what I do with my mother.
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You go to the bank and get her statements 5 years back and whatever else they ask for. This is how you get medicaid, I am going thru it now to get help at home. I am hoping to keep the aide and attendance also! I have a caregivers contract myself but use it for supplies and respite.
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If you are trying to apply for aid and attendance from VA please read how we did it for my mom. Very simple process, i broke down all the steps and have links to all the forms. You can check my about me page for link to my application process or check palcaregivers. I wrote it in hope of helping others. Mom got her first check in 3 months. PM me if you need help, not an expert just been there.
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Once you apply for medicaid the VA will no longer pay. They are both government agencies and so my understanding is it one or the other but not both. Check with your VA rep.
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I would try and read up on the VA website what you are entitled to. Sometimes info given over the phone is incorrect. My dad is a veteran. When mom passed we should our houses and moved in together. I was told that dad was not eligible for a stair chair. The cost of which is between $10,000. -$15,000 for a custom chair which is anything that is not a straight staircase. After speaking to dads primary doc at the VA , we learned this was incorrect, dad was eligible for those benefits! It took an additional 4 months after settlement to have it installed but it saved us so much money that it didn't matter. We were also able to get a second stair chair for the 2 steps down into the family room. My dad recently received a wheelchair too. I wood definitely do some research. You may be suprised at what your mom is entitled to. You were given excellent advice as to where to get started. Be aware, the VA does nothing quickly. I would call the VA every few days for a status update. I did it myself but wish I knew that the local American Legion could have helped. Good luck
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Rosebush, thats great info. I didnt know they would pay for a lift. Im happy your dad was able to get it and stay in home. I have found going to local VA office and connecting with a rep face to face helps a lot. Our rep let me know what info was missing on our application and when mom moved into an Adult Family Home the rep emailed me the forms we needed and I emailed back. It was so easy, but I know not all cases go as smoothly. Anyone applying should remember, no one is allowed to charge you to help fill out forms, that is against the law so if you need help AAA in your area or VFW and ask for assistance but never pay for it. There are so many benefits out there that people dont take advantage of because finding them is so hard. A clearing house would be great but dont think we will ever see that. The AAA agencies do come close though. They are a wealth of information.
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Rambler. My dad went for new knee braces and they asked us if we needed anything else, like walkers, wheelxhair, etc. i said a wheelchair because I can now leave one in the house and one in the car. The first came they medicare after back surgery. The PT also told me my dad could get a motorized scooter and the lift for the back of the car. I said I would hold off on that for now because we just use the ones in the stores. His favorite stores are Walmart and sams club. As long as we go during the week, we can usually get a scooter. One other thing I was told, once you reach the age of 65 you are automatically considered 100% disabled. Good luck everyone and Have a happy and healthy New Year!
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Is anyone sure that the VA payments stop if you get medicaid because medicaid said as long as I have a caregivers contract and still spend out the same monthly payments, I will continue to get it. If we do get it, I intend to get weekend help before I need a total hip, knee and brain replacement. lol
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Reverseroles, in NJ Medicaid rejected applications because they counted the VA portion as income. This had to be argued in court. The plaintiffs had to establish that all the VA money was spent on care and prove that it did not increase income, it just covered care, and was not countable.
So if your contract is for 20 hours a week and you want to get another 20 hours a week, Medicaid may balk and see it as a duplication.
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Interesting Pam...if we get a contract for 20 hours a week, I still do the other 20 or I can hire someone for another 20+++ hours, so the money will be spent for moms care. NH does not count the VA as income here, even if they did, she would still be eligible I think. I do know that its reimbursement money and Mom needs 24/7 care, 20 hours would only covers her bathing, dressing, toileting and breakfast for 5 days. Thanks again, sounds good.
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I am having the same issue. I am shocked by the number of people who feel nursing homes are the way to go ...
I worked in a skilled nursing facility.several in fact .
I understand sometimes it's best . However it's sometimes best to keep your loved one home . This is personal . People should keep a promise to the best of their ability . Call Medicare and ask . Call the local hospital and ask . Call local nursing homes and ask . They all have good ideas to try .
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Also contact your local area agency on aging for advice.
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People tell me that I should put my mother in a home. I refuse. She still eats at the table and is able to bathe in the shower with assistance (I get in with her). We are able to get Visiting nurse & physical therapy occasionally at home after there is an accident or hospitalization, but that's not much. I don't think medicare helps in that way. The VA Aid and Assistance of $1200 per month helps me pay for a caregiver to live in.
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sherry1anne, i agree with you 1000%. I just wish I could get a live in that cheap, but they want $15 an hour so I only get 4 hours a day. I did apply for medicaids waiver for in home help, still waiting. Moms been here 8 years going on 9 years in Feb. She doesnt know me, cannot walk, talk, is incontinent, and I puree her foods and feed her. Regardless, shes here to stay. She knows touch, is safe, warm and loved and most of all, she laughs like hell with me and I dont even think she understands why, but who cares, shes happy.
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Reverseroles, what you are doing is wonderful, but i also know how hard it must be. Why dont you try hiring a private live in if you have the room. Then room and board could go to some of their work hours and then pay for some hours. Im sure u could find someone and come to an arrangement that help you without taking advantage of the live in. There are very good sites that do background checks on caregivers. Im not allowed to mention them here but if you PM me ill give you the name of the one I was hired off. You dont want to burn out. Bless you for all the wonderful care you give mom
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I went to the VA office with all the paperwork stating that both her husbands had served in WII and they were able to get me assistance for her. The home I had her in had to approve and accept it also. Most are willing to work with you. It took several months to get it. She was placed on Medicaid and received if I recall properly about 1100 per month toward her care. You may want to do checking there. I do have to state though that was 10 years ago and I have no idea if and how they still handle it. I would think that they do. Please ask for help.
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1. The benefit is paid to the veteran/surviving spouse account, NOT TO THE FACILITY.
2. The facility must certify ADL's are being administered.There is no requirement on the part of the Veteran/Spouse that the Facility "Must accept"; it does not go to the facility.
3. Once on Medicaid; the benefit , will not be paid into the account
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