It's complicated, but she's been living with me for 2 years. She was under hospice home care until a couple of months ago due to chronic pneumonia (hospitalized 5 times in as many months last year), but she's had no recurrence since then. She just got over a MRSA/cellulitis infection from stastis dermatitis in her legs, and I'm having a hard time keeping the house disinfected because of the constant messes in the bathrooms and her leaving her used tissues EVERYWHERE. It's a job keeping her hands washed, and she won't sit still for very long before she's wandering the house touching everything. And I'm following behind her disinfecting. I caught the infection from her already, I'm going nuts trying to keep the 3 other adults and my grandson who live here from getting it. The kicker is, I doubt she'll even qualify for Medicaid after her money runs out, which at this point would be in about 4 months. She owns a home in another state, but I don't know if that's enough to qualify her for that state's Medicaid since she doesn't actually live there now. And I don't know how to get there to meet with an attorney in that state to find out what needs to be done since I'm taking care of my grandson while he's in school during the week and my son and husband are at work. Anyway, I've been told that in order to be accepted into a SNF, a doctor will have to verify that it's medically necessary. For the record, neither she nor my dad were in the military. Honestly, I'm at a loss as to what to do other than drive her back home and leave her on one of my two siblings' doorstep. They're willing to help, but there isn't much they can do 200 miles away, especially when they both work. Sorry, but it's been a particularly tiring day and I'm taking this opportunity to vent.
Medicaid will want five years of financial records to be sure nothing has been gifted or hidden from use for her care. Let's say she gets$1600 a month from SS, but your state limits Medicaid to $ 1100 a month. You would think she would not qualify. BUT they look at the cost of care, so if the NH is $4000 a month, they will make up the $2400 difference, so long as her financial records are correct. If she sells the house and clears $60,000, she can self pay for two years before she will need Medicaid. There are facilities that will take her in as private pay and convert to Medicaid later. These are usually nicer places, and this is the route we took with my MIL.
But meanwhile just wanted to congratulate you on pulling her back from a nasty state of affairs - you've done a great job. Draw breath and pat yourself on the back before you re-enter the fray. Hope it all gets sorted.
Oh, and to answer the question, yes dementia should be enough on its own. It is medically a big deal, after all.
Anyway, I sure appreciate the advice. At least I know she can get accepted into a NH medically, so consulting with an attorney in her state will be worth the effort at least. We also have to figure out how to get her to a dr there as well. I'll count on the sis and bro for that part.
My mom hasn't lived in her house in the past 2 years, so I doubt that Medicaid would buy that she intends to return to it.
I've considered seeing a Medicaid attorney here who might at least consult with one in Mom's home state to familiarize him/herself with all the applicable Medicaid laws. Thanks so much for your input and encouragement.