I’m my mom’s DPOA, she lives in a senior living apartment with 24 hour care available at an extra fee. Her social security isn’t enough for her monthly rent so I pay the other $600 a month. Also, before she started on the Medicaid Waiver program I was paying $1600 month for the caregivers which put me behind in paying her rent and now I’m paying extra each month to avoid her being evicted. She doesn’t qualify for full Medicaid and missed qualifying for the reduced rent program by less than $100. My brother won’t help in any way. She’s been on palliative Hospice but her condition has greatly worsened over the last couple months where she needs help eating and the caregiving company at the facility wants an additional $570 a month for feeding because she’s maxed on the number of units through the waiver. I keep hearing that I shouldn’t be paying all of this extra money plus I’m unable to meet my own bills. I held off moving her because she wasn’t expected to live through Dec. and the move wasn’t recommended. But now I’m thinking moving is my only option. Am I responsible to pay the past due rent? And would I be responsible to pay the extra feeding bill? I will do anything for her and I’m so blessed to be with her in her last days but I struggle with the guilt I feel when I spend my own money on myself. Can anyone relate?
Although she may not qualify for programs while she is in her current residence, you can apply for nursing home medicaid to get her moved. Her social security and other income would be used to pay for her bed. Medicaid basically pays the difference. If she has too much income, she would just be a self pay to stay in the nursing home.
Go to her doctor to see if he considers her medical conditions qualifiers for nursing home and get the process started. Locate a nursing home you are interested in and talk to the social worker there. She can help you with the application process and gather info you will need. Or you can go directly to the Medicaid (for elderly/disabled) to apply. They know the rules and all the ins/outs about the programs that cover nursing home.