My mother is 74 yrs old and has no money. For the past 10 years or so she has lived in a subsidized senior living facility in Russellville, Alabama. She has experienced a gradual decline that has come to a head recently where she has begun to call the police about the delusions she is experiencing. She believes the imaginary people- that she calls "the listeners"- are trying to kill her.
She has temporarily moved in with her sister and her sister's husband but last night she called the police saying that there were people committing a murder in the basement. I called and asked her what was going on and she started crying and said, "I think I am going crazy"...and she agreed that it would be best if she were somewhere that she could be cared for in a safe place.
I will add that her health issues are a general frailty-she broke her hip 2 yrs ago- and she has COPD as a lifelong smoker.
My question would be what options are available for someone without any $$ for assisted care that is her age? Are there MEDICARE options? MEDICAID? Thanks
Next, her medical PoA should get her in for an exam. Do a cognitive test and check for UTI. Make sure what is happening to her mentally actually is dementia. There are many things that can cause the symptoms she's having. Don't assume. Get the facts into her records. If at all possible get her in to see a geriatric specialist, or internist.
She should transition into a care community where she will be safe and get the medical oversight she will need, in addition to a better social life. I don't think Medicare or Medicaid pays for AL. Medicaid pays for LTC. It means sharing a room but all other care and attention is the same as other private pay residents.
Here are some resources:
Social services online (she must go through her own county): Dept of Health and Human Services
Her local area's Council on Aging
Benefits.gov
BenefitsCheckUp.org
https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html?
Teepa Snow videos on YouTube (to understand dementia for yourself)
Bless you for helping her through this time of anxiety and uncertainty! I wish you all the best for you both.
If she has designated a POA, that person needs to be involved and take charge, but otherwise, you or some other trustworthy person close to her should assume that responsibility. You will need to find a lawyer with family life/geriatric experience to be sure the POA is done correctly.
You will have the obvious problem of having to deal with Corona virus related issues right now, but you will be able to begin the process of educating yourself.
She is fortunate to have you there for her.