My mom has been completely disabled for 5 years (cannot use legs or right arm and is wheel chair bound and needs help bathing, diaper changing, in/out of bed. She only gets $500/month SS. Dad is alive and their reverse mortgage is almost gone. We need help in trying to see where we may be able to get extra funds to help pay for a live-in. They do have a small pension, plus dad's SS, but there is less than a 10 months left of funds to pay for a live-in that we pay $500/wk for. Any information will be greatly appreciated. My siblings and I cannot afford to pay as we live pay-chec-to paycheck in this economy and are barely getting my ourselves (and we are all in out late 50's -- so we have to worry about our care and retirement). I know this sounds terrible, but we want them to be able to live in this own home. With the reverse mortgage they can't be thrown out but they can't live without this in-home care. My dad also has an advanced case of emphysema, and he is getting to the point that we may need someone to come in weekly to help him bathe -- he tires easily and gets very winded just walking a few steps so he won't take a bath or shower (afraid of falling) I understand that Medicare may pay for someone to come in for him once a week, but we can't seem to get answers from Medicare.
Anyone that can help us with this dilemna is greatly appreciated.
As I understand it, anyone on SS disability is automatically qualified for Medicaid. In some states you have to apply separately, but it is a slam-dunk. It really sounds to me like both of your parents should be on Medicaid. Are they?
In my state the program is called Elderly Waiver but I think it has other names elsewhere. It is definitely a Medicaid program and I really think your parents will qualify. Why not give it a try?