We live in Orange County,CA and are considering board and care because she is on a fixed income and we can't supplement it anymore. Prior to moving in with us 7 months ago she lived in a great assisted living costing 5,000 a month. We paid about half of that. I am on disability, my husband is out of work ,we have one son in college, our daughter is a senior in high school and two other sons who, God bless them, help out as much as they can but they have their own problems, own lives to live.
I really need input from you about how to break the news to my mom, how to help her make the transition and also how to evaluate board and care facilities to try to avoid a nightmare in advance.
Thanks in advance for reading this. God bless each and everyone on this forum who struggles with senior care.
Kim
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Check out website medicare.gov. They can point you to NHs in your area and you can print out a handy NH checklist for evaluating each NH.
The info they have is varied and useful.
Also your local Area Agency on Aging. Very helpful.
I'm so glad to read that you are going to see a counselor and it will be money well spent because right now you and your husband are strung out with so much stress I bet you feel at times that you are just going to snap into a thousand little pieces.
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Decor and art are important. Her personal things will be more important to her than you may realize. You will have to limit the items, but bring in what you can. It will warm the sterile and stark environment.
Little treats help too if that is at all possible.
Family pics, favorite blanket, shawl, nic nacks etc.
Try & get her involved in the activities they have. The NH my mom was in had an ice cream social every afternoon. Even had sugar free for the diabetics.
Thanks for the additional details. My mom is currently in a skilled nursing/rehab after a 3 day hospital stay. I am supposed to meet with the social worker there before they discharge her. Is this who you are referring to?
I have told everyone there, repeatedly, why my mom can't be cared for in our home. The social worker said she knew "many resources and options". I sure hope she does because right now my husband and I are just short of being crushed with the multiple stresses and pressures in our lives.
I made an appointment with a counselor for myself even though we really can't afford it. Right now I think it will be money well spent.
Thanks again to you and everyone else who has shared , and continues to share, on this tough topic so many of us are struggling with.
Kim
Well, it looks more and more each day that is where my mom will end up. Right now the nursing and rehab facility where she is doesn't offer long-term residency but I have to find a suitable place that does. Then I have to figure out how to pay for it. I'm sure she will be asking to go home just like your dad.
Have you taken the Savvy Caregiver workshop offered free by the Alzheimer's Association? It is fantastic and it is a national organization so classes, this and others, are offered all over the country. It is open to anyone who is a caregiver, with emphasis on the challenges related to dementia in all forms. I highly suggest all of us who haven't taken it do so. I have also met some wonderful people there.
Thanks for your support and info. My prayers are with you, your family and your dad. You're right, they do help.
Kim
I don't think she qualifies for medicaid yet but she will as she has no assets except a monthly teacher's retirement. I don't know how much control I want the government to have but I may have no choice. You are certainly right, we are at the breaking point in more ways than one. My husband has been without work for several months and we have exhausted all our "emergency" funds and resources. Luckily, we have a large equity in our home but selling and drastically downsizing means uprooting our daughter who will be a senior in h.s. this fall, a son who is a jr. in college and another adult son who lives with us, helps out with expenses and loves this house that is also within walking distance of his dream job. We have lived here for almost 12 years and my kids have grown up here.
My mom can be in assisted living or something else anywhere, so she is fast becoming the least of my worries in that regard. I will definitely follow the suggestions here to make the doctor the "messenger". I just have to fight my way through the maze of insurance and benefits and government regulations.
I really have found being the daughter who loves my mom and manages her care a much better role for both of us at this point than direct caregiver.
Thanks again for your support and input.
Kim
I agree that the doctor needs to be the heavy, but you really don't need to have her in your home with everything else going on plus it sounds like your family budget is overtaxed already.
Kim
First - find out of she qualifies for medicaide - state aid. There are financial criteria and look back periods to comply with, so understand those clearly. Look to your state dept of health and welfare to find out the criteria for CA.
Then, call her doctor and tell him that you just can't care for her any longer given your own physical health and needs of your family, don't make it a financial discussion. Tell him that you'd like him to prescribe some PT in a rehab center or nursing home. He might have a preference for a nursing home nearby or in your town. IF he'll do that, then your mom will qualify for UP TO 120 days there paid for by medicare. IF, during that time, they determine she will not improve, then medicare will stop paying. At this point, you want medicaid to kick in and begin paying. Getting her qualified NOW will help with that step.
To understand all that's involved, you can call any nursing home. Speak with their social services staff and find out all of these details. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and don't let anyone make you feel stupid. This is a lot to wade through and it's complicated, so ask and ask until you're clear. There is no stupid question when your intent is only to help your mom and hold your own family together!! Best of luck.
For addional support-you might want to contact your local chapter of The Alzsheimer's Association-or call them at there 24/7 hotline # which is 1-800-272-3900...They are a great orgaization to work with-and will respond to all types of dementia.
Best,
Steve