What steps to take to help parents get AL?

We are also in NJ and although, as JoAnn29 says, many if not most require private pay for a period of time before someone goes on Medicaid, there are a few (Google NJ (or your state) Medicaid Assisted Living Facilities and you should be able to find them) that will put a Medicaid eligible person in need of AL on a waiting list. The one my mother is in had an 8 - 9 month list for a shared room so the family decided to chip in the extra bucks for a private efficiency room. This in effect made her a "private pay" to an extent and a room was immediately available once she was Medicaid approved. The other suggestions here about contacting your local agency on aging are really on point. Good luck as this is a lot of work but ultimately, if your loved ones need this, a Godsend for you all once its in place.

Contact a local Agency on Aging or work with a local Referral/Placement Agency. They will know the "rules" for your particular area. In my area, MediCal is not accepted by any assisted living communities.

There is a monthly fee for an AL. It is going to be up to you as to how you pay for it, e.g. sell her home?

It is going to take most of their income, unless they have medical needs which Medicare will pay of portion of. Also, do not forget to ask them what they want to do with their lives.

Please contact your Area Agency on Aging. They absolutely be able to answer your questions and provide resources. They will also walk you through the processes to get things done. Don't hesitate, call them!!

I live in NJ. Medicaid does not pay for AL. If they pay, ur in longterm nursing care. This means sharing a room. We do have one assisted living facility that allows Medicaid but only after you are able to private pay for two years. This can be anywhere from 5K to 7K depending on how much assistance you need. Medicaid will take over after that and you will stay in the room you've had. Medicare does not pay for AL/nursing care. They pay for rehab first 20days fully, partially up to 100 days. They pay for hospital stays but not fully.

Good advice above.

I would add that it may depend on why your parents want assisted living. Do you know if that is the level of care they need? Are they disabled? Most states have requirements regarding need if they are asking for Medicaid. You can google your state name and requirements for Medicaid and long term care.

My state has a program for Special Assistance for Assisted Living for certain individuals who need it, but from what I have read, some states don't. Do they need Memory Care?

I think I might explore getting them assessed to see what type of care they actually need. That would be helpful. Often their doctor can help with that.

One more thing I forgot to mention, again, my experience only, that not all AL's take a Medicaid client. There are some that are strictly private pay. Lots of research to be done on your end but certainly worth the time to do so! Again, good luck!!!

Hi Savannah 5770;
My experience has been first and foremost, that Assisted Living is not covered by Medicare. In our state we have "special assistance" (i.e. a Medicaid payor) for assisted living, but the person has to qualify for Medicaid and have only $2,000 in assets. I have seen families where they get the parent in AL and then spend down their assets to the level for Medicaid and then they can go to a "special assistance"situation. That being said, check the state where they would be going to AL and note that they can't just sign over assets and try to get on Medicaid. In my state there is a 5 year look-back on assets. Talk to the AL facility, talk to an estate/elder care lawyer and also see about getting a POA/HCPOA in place in case something happens and you would need to be helping with financial decisions and matters. Just my two cents and lots of luck on your journey!