Does Medicare pay for mom staying at a boarding care facility if I need to be away for a week? What are the regulations and requirements?

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Does Medicare pay for mom staying at a boarding care facility if I need to be away for a week? What are the regulations and requirements?

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I need to be out of state for a week with my whole family due to a family wedding, and my 93 years old mom who has sever Alzhiemer, doesn’t speak English and needs full attention needs care. Is there any Medicare/ Medi-Cal coverage for her staying at a boarding care facility for that period?
Has anyone have any good experiences leaving them in a facility for a week or at home is better?
The only problem is considering she does have a good caregiver at home but she doesn’t want to be there alone during our absence since the whole family is leaving and no one is there to be available for any emergencies.
Anyone has any better solutions?

Alzheimer's & Dementia Family Caregiver Respite Travel

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This will be quite challenging. If this is something you need to have set up really soon, it’s going to be you find a NH who will take her as a private pay “respite” type of short term resident. She or you would upfront pay their private pay day rate plus whatever other charges deemed necessary. They probably would want to do an in person assessment on her (that you pay for whether or not it happens) just to make sure they can provide her level of care as they know zero about her.

Respite stays are standard coverage under Medicare for those on inhome hospice (as the caregiver needs a break). So lots of facilities are used to having short term respite stays, perhaps twice a yr every 6 months. But if mom is not already on hospice, Medicare paying for this is not an option.

Medicaid has programs that will pay for custodial care if she is eligible but these are designed to be used for those who need Long Term placement.

As an aside on this if the wedding is out of State or, out of the country, I don’t think any facility would be willing to have her as a short term “guest”. They need to be assured that the POA is avails 24/7 for contact and be able to be there quickly if need be.

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Reply to igloo572

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Have you looked into getting mom evaluated for Hospice?
Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance will pay for Respite.
That might be your best option.
And in addition to Respite you will have a Nurse that will come at least 1 time a week to check mom and order medications, a CNA that will come at least 2 times a week to give mom a bath or shower and to order supplies. Medications and supplies will be delivered to you. The Nurse will also order any equipment that you might need to help care for mom safely.

Most facilities, for your mom a Memory Care facility would take her for Respite but it would be Private Pay. You can ask when you are calling around to find a place that has a bed for a 1 week Respite if they have staff that speak your mom's language.
For Respite also ask what medical testing needs to be done before she comes to stay. In my area a TB skin test is required (some places need a 2 stage test where 2 tests are done a week apart) or a blood test can be done. And her doctor may have to fill out a medical history and indicate that she is in good health. Sometimes getting all this done can take a week or two.

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Reply to Grandma1954

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Medicare CERTAINLY doesn't, but Medicaid may. You are in California if you are on Medi-cal. I would call them and check on the coverage. The other option of course is having someone come in to care for mother, but with the severity of her dementia that is going to be VERY VERY costly.
If mother's aid is staying with her in your absence, then perhaps a bit less in cost.
I don't understand the reluctance of the aid when emergency services are a 911 call away, but that's neither here nor there.
I think in this choice of keeping an elder at home there are certain things that simply are not an option, and perhaps this is one of them.

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Reply to AlvaDeer

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Is she on a Medi-Medi plan? (Medicare and Medicaid in one plan?) If so, call the nurse care manager for her plan and talk to them about your need. It is less expensive and encouraged for folks to live in the community vs a facility. So, these programs have provisions to provide temporary caretaker coverage.

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Reply to CarolineY

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I understand Medi-Medi is only in specific counties, not an entire state, such as in California. Do you know why that is so?

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Regular Medicare would continue to cover medical costs, but you would have to pay out of pocket for "room and board" of the respite stay. I believe her at home caregiver can be with her at the respite facility.

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Reply to RedVanAnnie

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Probably not. More than likely this kind of care will be self pay. Medicare doesn't pay for respite care.

Call local Medicaid office to see if your state has assistance programs

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Reply to my2cents

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When my husband was still living at home with alzheimers and severe memory loss, leaving the house any time of day or night if I didn't catch him first. When I wanted to go back East to visit family I hadn't seen in years, I put him in assisted living facility for the time I was away. It is expensive, but it wasn't any more than his own air fare if I took him with me. That was not even an option, as people with memory loss shouldn't be left alone or traveling. It was a lot of money, but his air fare would have been a lot of money, too,. Check facilities in your area and what they can offer you, care they will give, etc. I started at least 2 months before my trip, as you might have to be put on a waiting list. The cost is high, but so is air fare, food and transpotation in the visited location. I used an old Brookdale facility and was satisfied with the care given. And, yes, he was able to find an open door in the buiiding and left the facility to go home, but someone saw him and brought him back to the facility. His stay was not in a memory care unit, as he was not eligible for that yet. His stay was in an independent living part of the facility, but he was watched by staff, per the agreement. I had piece of mind, and called him every 2 days to say hi. He told me what he was doing, and if I was concerned, I made another call to the Facility to find out what the issue was. And, yes, he did leave the builiding, but his stay was not in memory care, as not permitted for him at the time. When I called him, knowing a major highway was just out the open gate from the facility, and his room was near the highway, he would tell me he was out in the woods shooting guns with the guards. I called the facllity to find out what he was talking about, they clarified he was not doing that, but he was not held back, as he did not get a letter from his doctor saying he must be watched 24/7 either. I just prayed he would be okay. I called him every day and he told me a story, so after we ended our call, I would call the facility's telephone number and get the "real" story. He did not do what he had told me he did, and the facility told me when and how they are caring for him. I would have preferred he be put in assisted living vs independent living while I was gone, but it didn't work that way since he was not a full time patient of assisted living. But, I really wanted to see my family I hadn't seen in years. I myself was already over 65 and family lived across the country from where I live, so two days traveling, and few days visiting family. Approx 7 days. When I called him every day and he told me he was out walking to the store, I hung up and called the office. Found out he was "fibbing" me, as they watched him. I never left him again, but I did not keep him at home much longer, as he was starting to get lost if he snuck out on his own. You have to watch demented people like a 2 or 3 year old. They cannot think of danger, just what they want. Good luck.

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Reply to JosAgingCare

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Till airfare do us part.

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My husband is on hospice for dementia. Respite is max 5 days every 90 days the first 6 months then every 60 days. Self pay facility was $4000 with a minimum of 2 weeks. 24/7 homemade would be very expensive

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Reply to Cruiseforever

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Check with area nursing homes. They may offer respite care. I was able to take my mom to one(of two) places. Each will have there minimum stay and rules and etc
One didn't require much. Just a couple days notice No minimum
Another required a TB test and 2 week minimum.
We paid out of pocket unless yourother has long term health insurance.
Best Wishes.
These were a great help to me.

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Reply to BeeSuz

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That's right! I forgot about TB test. And, now, many require a negative COVID test.
It's not a simple matter of taking your loved one to the nearest care facility and checking them in!

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Can you hire her caregiver to stay 24/7 for that week? That might be easiest for Mom and you, knowing she is with someone reliable and in a familiar environment.

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Reply to DrBenshir

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In my area that is $7000/week

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If your mother already has medicaid, she should have an assigned case manager you could talk to and ask what is covered. Or call the number on her medicare card to ask what care facilities might be covered.
You have several options for care; there are home care settings, which might be the most comfortable for your mother, or a memory care facility, or even skilled nursing facility.
One very important factor - you will need a doctor's referral!
And it may take some time to find an available bed!

Is it the home caregiver who doesn't want to be left alone with her for a week? Or is it your mother who is uncomfortable with you being gone?
I don't understand why staying at home with the usual caregiver isn't the best option. Unless the caregiver can't or is unwilling to live-in 24 hours.
In an emergency they can call you, and call 911!

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Reply to CaringWifeAZ

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Your first sentence, if she is lucky.

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See 1 more reply

Are you n medicare on the outs have a feud? Oh are you in for a surprise do you own a home live in Ohio??

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Reply to AdVinn

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OneBlueMoon: Check this through the Medi-cal website - "Respite Care - Financial assistance for temporary in-home support, adult day care services, short-term or weekend care and transportation."
Go to the Medi-cal website for further information.

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Reply to Llamalover47

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If your Mom doesn't speak English, it will be very hard to find an respite site that will give her the care you would like her to have.

Do you belong to a church? Is there a group that you/she belong to that speak that language? Does the caregiver you have belong to an agency?

I would try to find someone who can speak that language and also is trustworthy (since you would be allowing them unsupervised in the home) to check on her at minimum 3 times day, preferably after each meal or when you know she is most alert and would like to talk.

Assuming that the caregiver doesn't want the 24 x 7 for that week, if the caregiver belongs to an agency, see if the agency can fill your need. If no agency, ask the caregiver, assuming that you don't have reservations about him/her, if she knows of anyone who would be willing to help during that week.

Is there no possibility that your Mom can go with you, and take her existing caregiver also with you (kind of like a nanny situation)?

From my viewpoint, the biggest challenge for your Mom will be finding someone who she can communicate with while you are away.

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Reply to ChoppedLiver

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Thank you for your information.
Mom has sever Alzheimer and the place is out of states which requires traveling by air long distances! An Alzheimer patient get worse if they relocate even for short time!

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Does Medicare pay for mom staying at a boarding care facility if I need to be away for a week? What are the regulations and requirements?

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