My mom has no money except SS. She was in a county subsidized adult group home. She began to decline and was hospitalized twice recently. Both times a doctor at the hospital asked if I had considered hospice for her. They believed she was not going get better and would continue to need hospitalizations for recurring UTI’s, dehydration, etc. The home said they would not take her back unless I paid for 8 hours of additional care per day—not possible. So the hospital found nursing homes. I approved of one and she was sent there—Medicaid pending. I just got a letter of denial. The caseworker hasn’t called back yet. Is this a common thing? Would they kick a 90year old with dementia who can’t get out of bed on her own out of the nursing home?? I can’t imagine it would be good for her to return to a group home. She has improved since leaving there, so she was not getting the best care. Should I bow out and let the nursing home battle with Medicaid? I am not her guardian and will not take any legal or financial responsibility. I am so done with all of this. I was never even close to my mom, but have taken responsibility for her care for the last seven years.
This is not about needing help with ADLs; it is about needing skilled nursing care.
Do not agree to take her home or pay for anything. Stand firm and if they say "the state will take guardianship" say "yes, please".
Are you her health care POA? Do you know why she was denied medical? There is some information missing in all this. Just don't take her home, and keep working with medicaid and Social Workers. Where is she now. Is she in a nursing home now? Just know they cannot turn her out into the street until this is worked out. They may just need more MD paperwork to "qualify her". Let the Social Worker there handle it.
ASK whomever is dealing with the medical information to help you ensure that her actual care level reflects on the application.
When the caseworker calls, ask what they based their decision on. Maybe there is information missing. Just the Dementia and needing 24/7care should get her Medicaid.
She assured me I need not panic. 🤞