I am trying to find additional money to help pay for my brother's assisted living bills. He has vascular dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. He also has Major Depressive Disorder. He is medically eligible for Medicaid, but I would have to move him to the skilled nursing portion of his care facility to apply for Medicaid. He would have to move out of his comfortable room into the hospital ward-like beds of skilled care. His clinical depression is eased somewhat by the pleasant surroundings of his assisted living room. If he moves to the clinic-like skilled nursing section, I'm concerned that his depression would increase and his decline from his dementia would only get worse. I am his financial POA, and I need an additional $1,600 a month added to his social security and pension to keep him in his assisted living room. I have been dipping into his savings to pay the current bills, but his money will soon run out. I am 70 years old and retired with health problems of my own and have no assets I can use to pay my brother's bills. I am considering using GoFundMe to do fundraising for my brother. Has anyone gone this route? Any suggestions or opinions? Thanks very much.
Go fund me is for people who need a one time help, not a crutch for ongoing help. Your brother would need ongoing. Plus, medicaid would count go fund me as income and it would be taxable. You'd be doing him a dis service. There are anti depressants his Dr. could prescribe if he can't have a room by himself. The memory care places I checked out for mom all have private rooms. Find a memory care facility first so medicaid doesn't try placing him first. You've got a better chance of getting what you want. Go fund me is not for your circumstance.
It is admirable you are trying so hard to provide for your brother; I had a much loved brother of my own, who ended his days in ALF and was much comforted by being able to have his last remaining treasures and his own furniture around him, and I can imagine how much your heart hurts for your brother. I am so sorry.
I would start searching for a new facility if your unhappy with the current one. I suggest finding a care placement specialist who knows the area. I wouldn’t have found where my mom is currently without mine. Carepatrol is a franchise , that I used. Maybe they are in your area ?? Or one similar. My agent met me at the facility, for tour and talking with the coordinator. Agent gets paid by the Facility for placement, not by you. I helped place my mom in another city like this, along with my in laws, and my mother a second time. Invaluable resource. My agent knows the cost, availability, if the place fits you etc.
good luck with your changes …
Unfortunately, not using Medicaid because you don't want to move your brother to skilled nursing isn't going to fly. Taxpayers will already pay for his care with Medicaid, yet you're asking for even more.
It won't work.
As far as GoFundMe... I don't know but I personally wouldn't contribute to such a fund since there are hundreds of thousands of people in your brother's exact shoes. That's a lot of money to have to raise every month, month after month, and that's if he doesn't need MC which will be even more expensive.