Lookin4hlp Asked February 2018
What is needed to admit my father into a nursing home?
Follow
Share
Hi- What is needed to admit my father into a nursing home? My mom is named on his health directives and his doctor has diagnosed him and said he needs 24 hour care. Is that enough? Even if he doesn’t want to go...
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
19 Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Popular Questions
- My mom has Alzheimer's and she is in a nursing home. I get physically ill at the thought of going to see her and I have to force myself to go. Does anyone else have this problem?
- Nursing home neglect! My mothers is in ICU, now what?
- Do you feel that putting someone in a nursing home is just giving them a place to die in?
Related Questions
- I moved my dad here and NH had him sign a POA putting me in charge of his health. Do I give Mom back the POA or leave it like it is?
- My mother is 88 yrs old and she appointed my sister as medical POA. She now wants to change her MPOA. How does she do this?
- Mom is in a SNF pending Medicaid approval. She still receives a bill for her prescription plan, so I am able to see the medication they are giving her? Can I request changes?
- Can my IRA be touched if my wife needs to go in a nursing home in PA?
Ask a Question
If the doctor says that your father needs 24 hour care but doesn't agree that your father is mentally incapable of making his own decisions, then you're a bit stuck. But in that case, perhaps the doctor can talk to your father and help to persuade him that he needs more care than your mother is able to provide?
How firm is your mom willing to be in all this? if she caves to your dad, she'll be stuck 24x7.
Is your mother willing to accept in-home help?
This is the way my attorney explained it to me:
Competence is a legal term which can only be decided by the courts.
Doctors can fill out forms stating that persons cannot live alone, take care of themselves etc. this form is used in a competency hearing along with forms from court appointed experts to determine competency or lack thereof.
Nursing homes like to at least have the doc’s can’t take care of themselves/ form on file.
In my case, the assisted living facility did not require even that. It would be quite clear to anyone that my folks could not be on their own.
Pay; the state will take the house and any and all assets to make a plan to spend you down. That means the ring on your mother's hand as well, checking accounts, cars, everything. The state will allow the one spouse who isn't put away to stay in the house for however so long: in most instances. It's an ugly thing to witness having someone spent down. Those are things to think about before thinking the government will just let you put your parent into a home unless you can afford say 6 to 12 thousand a month depending.
It IS a sad thing to see, a person's lifetime of possessions dwindling to fund their care. But the alternative is that the state funds care for people who would rather not lose their grandkids' college funds, jewellery, nice furniture, car, plasma tv... Well, wouldn't we all rather save our money for nice things instead of prescriptions and laundry detergent? Tough!
I'd recommend consulting with your folks and an elder law attorney who specializes in Medicaid Planning, as they will know the rules for *YOUR* state. In my state, yes they do put a lien on the house if the well spouse is still living there, so when the house sells in the future, the state will collect some of the proceeds. There's a formula for how much they'll take. They will also collect from any other available resources they are legally allowed to collect from (real estate, investments, bank accounts, vehicles other than the 1 allowed for medical transportation). Some resources can be legally transferred prior to their death, or put into a Medicaid-approved trust. Many couples will do a "quit-claim deed" to put the house in the well spouse's name, so it is protected. That's why it's good to consult an attorney. In my state, they DO NOT take personal belongings like jewelry, furniture, artwork, etc. So please find out what your state's Estate Recovery rules are, and don't be scared of applying for Medicaid.
So this is how I see it, having 7 years of experience screening people for Medicaid eligibility and helping them get on services: If you didn't save up enough money to pay for all your care needs out of your own pocket (which let's face it, is impossible for most of us!), Medicaid is another way to fund what you need now by leveraging the other assets you've put away through the years... People are often mad that the state won't just pay for everything and let them keep their hundreds of thousands/millions. The state is going to ask you to spend your own money on your care needs before they will ask the taxpayers to pay. As a taxpayer, I am glad for this rule!
The problem is that Baby Boomers have the expectation of leaving inheritances for their children, like their parents did for them. But the reality of long-term care costs and inflation mean this is likely not possible for most people. Sad, but true.
What's required is a doctor's referral (in my case, a nurse did the paperwork). In NY, it's called a PRI form. That filled out form, along with your POA form is enough for you to put him in a nursing home.