questions about nursing homes

[MORTARDUDE]

My Mom just had another 7 days in the hospital. Not as bad as the first 10 days. Anyway, I have watched over the past year or so as her health has declined a great deal. I need to start thinking about a nursing home or something similar in the future, as I am sure it will come to that.

I would like to know your thoughts on the subject, and personal experience if possible.

I found this site www.thca.org which is specifically about nursing homes ( and related care ) in Tennessee. It is helpful.

Since this is all new to me......some things I am wondering about. When it comes to long term care, is there a way to get some help with the whole process, on the front end... I am aware that Medicaid will take all your savings for the cost, but will they take your house, if you have no spouse ? Any advice about assets and cost ? How do you know whether the long term care facility has a good record ? Any ideas, personal experience, or other advice would be welcome. Thanks to all.

Larry

[catman]

Larry...your best bet is to call a lawyer and ask these questions.

Trav

[revwardoc]

You could speak to a Patient Advocate or Case Manager at the hospital for advise and information. The deal with that kind of stuff all the time. At least my wife (a Case Manager) does, and she's always recommending Nursing Homes and Hostels to families and patients.

[b3196]

Larry
Theres two types.
Basic nursing home 1 room and bathroom with people needing basic care up to and including the sickest of the sick
Assisted living which is like a small apartment with all the necessities of a nursing home. This way if anyone comes to visit her, they can stay there. Gives your mom a little more room and freedom. She can even decorate the way she wants. Some nursing homes will offer both.
Bob K

[MORTARDUDE]

Thanks.

The word lawyer is bothersome to me. After a recent bankruptcy and divorce.....not one of my favorite kinds of folks. At what point in the process would a lawyer be necessary ?


As for the Patient Advocate or Case Manager at a hospital, would this only apply if she was a patient at the hospital at the time ?

I appreciate the help.

Thanks.

Larry

[39mto39g]

over 30 years of nursing home fire inspections, I can tell you there are very, very , very few good nursing homes that exist.
The best thing is to make an unanounced vist to one your thinking about , (lunch time ) If the home wont let you, you have to ask yourself, WHY?

Here is a web site, If you don't have a good POP up blocker don't go here, let me know and I'll cut and paste info.
http://www.angelfire.com/tn/NursingHome/

Ron

[Packo]

Larry,

She will probably need to sell her home....to you for a paper transaction but there is a time limit on that.

Revdoc's advice was sound...also at any Nursing Facility there is usually a Social Worker who can give you advice. Medicaid/Medicare can be a maze. She may also just need Rehab Therapy at a Nursing home, which Medicare will pay for, then be able to go home.

Assisted living is expensive, probably about 1,200 to 2000 a month, but is better than a nursing home, if she does not need skilled nursing care. That's the optimum word...skilled. She would probably have to sell her house to afford assisted living and then could only stay until her money ran out.

If she doesn't own a house or have many assets....then Medicare might have to pick up the tab. Social Workers or Case Managers are your best source of info and what Ron said.....pop in unannounced to check some out and when you do...ask if the rooms they are showing are self pay or medicare/aid rooms. There is a difference.

Pack

[MORTARDUDE]

Thanks again all !!

Larry

[Arrow]

Larry,

There is a Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) that you may be eligible for that would include aid and attendence for your Mom, possible aid for a van, wheelchair, ramps and changes to doorways, bathrooms etc if needed. It's possible you can keep her home with you and have caregivers come in to help you, including a visiting nurse, and might be the best case scenerio for both you and your Mom. If you don't want to deal with this on your own talk to the DAV or VFW or VVA. I hope this helps! The nursing homes here in Oklahoma have the same reputation of the ones Ron has seen in Texas except for some high dollar assisted living centers. Hope this helps.

Arrow>>>>>>

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/site.htm

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/

[revwardoc]

Larry,
re: your question about her being a patient at a given hospital; yes, that's true, but if you personally know someone in that field, they could give you a hand.

Also, about her home; when my father-in-law and mutha-in-law were diagnosed with lung cancer and Alzheimer's respectively, they had ownership of their home transfered to my wife and her brother so that the nursing home where my MIL lives can't lay any claims to the house because she doesn't own it. My sister and I have done the same thing to my Dad's house. So in case he has to go into a facility, his insurance will cover it without having to give them his house.