My Mom knows she needs assistance so she is open to ideas for additional help. Someone needs to be with my Dad 24/7 now and my Mom needs an occasional break. We are wondering about if we should move dad into assisted living or not but where do we start? How do we pay for it? Will 1/2 go to Dad's living and my Mom get to retain 1/2 their income? Any information on where to start is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU.
Not knowing what kind of assets your parents have or if they have a house or retirement funds or savings there's no way to say how your mom will pay for it. If your mom can't afford a nursing home she can spend down her assets (usually by hiring caregivers for the person, in this case your dad) so your dad will be eligible for Medicaid which will pay for the nursing home but that leaves your mom in a precarious position. It's not as simple as 1/2 of their money going towards a facility and your mom being able to keep 1/2. There's much, much more to it. I agree with ba8alou, consult an elder care attorney.