Does anyone have experience in moving a loved one to another state for care and qualifying for Medicaid?
My mom (mid 70s) has lived with us for approx 20 years due to chronic pain, headaches and disability. Up until the last 5 years she has been able to be relatively independent. However she has developed dementia. She no longer drives, manages her own money, cooks for herself or is able to manage her meds or doctor’s appts. She only recognizes us occasionally as her children but knows that we love her and she loves us. Today she can currently still manage most activities of daily living with little help will soon reach the point of needing more socialization, memory care and support than we can provide her in our home.
After nearly 20 years of being with us the plan with my sister and I is to move her to a care facility in Minneapolisto be near my sister who can continue to look in on her. My sister is in full alignment and is just beginning the search for facilities. Mom has limited funds. Based on current out of pocket costs the assets will be exhausted after 9-12 mo of care.
Anyone have experience with how to research live in facilities in area around Minneapolis, MN that she can access now (or within the next year) that will take Medicaid when she qualifies as her funds run out? I have both financial and healthcare POA.
my mom’s medical care was done by a NP whose job was to see patients in facilities. The facility had them coming in.
the physical move was difficult because my mom made it difficult. She wanted to bring everything. I bought her furnishings on Facebook market place. I got some nice stuff and was happy with her room.
the travel was hard. I booked first class. Our flight was canceled. Could not get out that day. Had to stay a second night in a hotel. I was on my own with her. Getting bags, walker, her in a wheelchair because she couldn’t walk the distance. Etc. .. second flight cancelled, …..(truth , I was ready to cry) be sure to notify airline if any flights changed that you need the handicap help… I didn’t know. The airline needed to know she needed the special wheelchair to get on the plane itself.
Once a bed is ready, you need to move quickly to move her as a resident of the state. You may get a 3 week notice window for the transportation, depending on how well she can travel. There may be a doctor form requirement including tests for TB. If you have trouble scheduling appointments within the window. Once your sister says that she has an application in, schedule that doctor visit, which can always be changed if need be. It may be best for long moves to get movers estimates. Sometimes a couple of rooms only mean a few hundred dollars.
both you and sis should start coordinating your efforts: she with finding and applying and you for the actual physical move. Make sure sis follows up with Medicare relocation and finding a new doctor on their website.
I had to move my mon 700 miles away so I only packed her clothes and cherished photos. I purchased gently used furniture. You can save a few boxes if you plan to travel to visit her.
The first questions should be.., even before arriving is. "Do you take Medicaid?" If the answer is no then I suggest moving on to another facility.
Many will want 1 to 2 years of "private pay" before they accept the resident as Medicaid.
Working with a Social Worker might make the search easier.
Contact the Area Agency on Aging and ask there if anyone can help in the search.
Another option would be consult with A Place for Mom they can help with the search.
One would need to find all new doctors for Mom. Mom would be living in an area she is not familiar is [I assume she didn't visit on a regular basis], thus something as similar as watching the local news would be confusing. She wouldn't recognize the news anchors or be familiar with the local area names.
Did Mom have friends in your area? If yes, that would be hard for her to leave.
For researching facilities, on the right side of this page is Find Care & Housing. Click on that to get help.
I would clarify with Minnesota as to when she becomes a resident, and what they require to establish that.
Aging Care: Disclaimer - This is not my work.