Who do I talk with re Medicaid and move mom to a nursing home

Q) My 94 year old mother who is in very poor health has been getting home care (now around the clock) for 7 years. She is living in a relatives home and paying half the home expenses. Based upon her expenses VS. assets, she will be broke in April 2015. Her current net worth is $26,000. Who do I talk with to initiate Medicaid help and a move to a nursing home by April 2015?

A) I understand that you are concerned about your mother’s financial situation and her need for long-term care. I am not a lawyer, but I can provide you with some information that may be helpful.

The first step is to contact your local Medicaid office. They will be able to tell you if your mother is eligible for Medicaid and, if so, what level of coverage she will receive.

If your mother is eligible for Medicaid, you will need to start the process of applying for benefits. This process can be complicated, so it is important to work with a qualified professional. You can find a list of Medicaid-approved attorneys in your area by visiting the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys website.

Once your mother is approved for Medicaid, you will need to find a nursing home that accepts Medicaid patients. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a nursing home, such as the cost of care, the quality of care, and the location of the nursing home.

It is important to start the process of finding a nursing home as soon as possible. This will give you time to compare different nursing homes and to make sure that your mother is placed in a nursing home that meets her needs.

Please call your local Medicaid Office and speak with a counselor regarding preparation for your mothers nursing home care.

Nursing Facility Services are provided by Medicaid certified nursing homes, which primarily provide three types of services:

• Skilled nursing or medical care and related services;
• Rehabilitation needed due to injury, disability, or illness;
• Long term care —health-related care and services (above the level of room and board) not available in the community, needed regularly due to a mental or physical condition.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.