What are some of the things to look out for when choosing a home for a parent?

Just don't do anything foolish like give away the house or car or savings. If you do that, you won't get the Medicaid.

Oh, I would make sure their Medicare is in place. And they likely will also qualify for Medicaid medical.

NC also has a program called Special Assistance that operates a lot like Medicaid, but is for those seniors who qualify by doctor's order for AL. It includes everything in the AL, room, basic phone and cable, transportation to doctor, dentists, shopping, on premises laundry, all meals and 3 snacks a day, medication administration, activities, crafts, etc. They allow the resident to keep $66.00 per month for incidentals. It's not much, but, it's doable.

They told me today, that mom hands over her Social Security check, except for $90. And that's it. That pays her portion of the rent. Then Medicaid pays for everything else. She can keep $2000 of whatever savings she has. If she has more than that, they advised spending it down on moving costs, furniture and other relevant expenditures, but save the receipts as they want to see proof of purchase.

So, i just looked up the Illinois supportive living program, which is supported by a Medicaid Waiver. What it says is " the resident is responsible for paying for room and board". Medicaid is paying for personal care, medical, transportation and the other supportive services.

So, can mom pay the room and board?