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Lostmysparkle Asked August 2022

Mom is 89 and living in a NH for a little over a year. She has dementia but is extremely mobile, walks without assistance and can dress herself. Any advice?

Mom went from hospital to rehab and then to SNH after her diabetes/insulin requirements left her unable to live home alone. Her dementia also made it impossible to have her live alone. When I visit mom, she is the ONLY resident that walks around by herself and is not bedridden. However, her inabilities because of dementia and medication put us in a dilemma. since we cannot afford to pay out of pocket for AL, we are wondering if any AL’s take Medicaid. we tried having nurses come in to her home in the past, but, as everyone knows, a nurse’s day can never be timed, so as a result her meds and levers were not checked when we thought someone would be there. We work full time and are unable to be at home with mom. Any input or feedback?

Geaton777 Aug 2022
The state decides what Medicaid pays for and it is different in each state. Start by going online to the county your mom resides in, Dept of Health & Human Services, Elderly Care, then you find Medicaid in there somewhere. In my state it only pays for LTC. If this is the same in her state as well, then discuss with her doctor to see if there's any way should would qualify for LTC. Or, consult with a Medicaid Planner for her state. I'm in a similar dilemma and have a doctor's appt in late August for my 100-yr old Aunt to see if she can be qualified as needing LTC.

Daughterof1930 Aug 2022
I can see why it must feel discouraging to see your mom functioning better than other residents who spend their days in bed. Her limitations do require skilled care. Perhaps you could talk to the administrator about some activities or “jobs” she could do to stay more active. The activities director at the NH my mom was in was great about involving residents in varying activities, and some even had repetitive jobs that they did to feel useful and busy. Some helped with folding laundry, placing snacks on the tables, etc.

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JoAnn29 Aug 2022
You Mom is right where she needs to be. The only person who would be qualified to help her with her diabetes would be the AL RN and she was not there 24/7 in Moms 39 bed AL. Some States do not allow LPNs to give injections. Aides are definitely not to give injections.

Mom had a number of people in her NH able to walk around. A person with Dementia should really not be in an AL.
Geaton777 Aug 2022
I think it depends how far along they are in their dementia and what a la carte services the AL will provide for the resident. If she is a wandering risk, or a danger to herself or others, then she needs MC.

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