counterpoint
01-27-2008, 10:30 AM
We are looking for a facility in the Sonoma Co. that could house & care for our 82 yr. old mother who is in a wheelchair and affected by Parkinsons. Currently she is in a facility back in Michigan, and we'd like to bring her out here so we can see her regularly and manage her care more closely. It is important that she will be able to stay in a place that will accept MedicAid (is that what it's called her in Calif?) within a year or two as her money will run out in time... Any kind of compassionate care advice or other information to guide is is HUGELY appreciated! Thanks for reading... Julia
gypsey
01-28-2008, 11:31 AM
Julia, as the daughter and only surviving relative of my 90 year mother, who is in assisted living because of dementia, I hope I can give you some information that you will find helpful. Some of it is based on my understanding of MediCal here in California (our version of Medicaid) as well as my own experience, but I further urge you to get professional advice, and have included a free referral, for same.
Because your mother also has parkinson's I assume that at some point she will need skilled nursing and not assisted living. Until that point she will not be eligible for state aid or medicare assistance for that housing, unless she earns less than $750 a month from all sources, including social security. (the limit may have gone up since I found this out.) My mother for example receives the maximum in social security benefits, a whopping $1600 a month and so is ineligible for additional assistance. That $1600 a month just covers her assisted living in Los Angeles, and I pay for the $250 per month in prescriptions that are not covered by the Medicare prescription program.
The reason my mother is not in assisted living near me is because Sonoma County facilities start at $3,500 a month!!-and go up from there.
Now, if my mother were to require a nursing home, the picture would change, but she would lose the dignity of her assisted living program and senior center. (For example, she would not be assisted to toilet or other self-care if in a nursing home.) On the plus side, Medicare does cover hospice so when my mother is finally dying, she can get some extra help.
Now that I've painted this truly awful, disgraceful picture of how our country treats its elderly, I suggest you call the Council on Aging--I think the Sonoma County branch offices are in Petaluma or Santa Rosa. After a phone call, I think you are entitled to one or 2 free counselling sessions. They can bring you up to date on what's available and what can be or will be subsidized.
Good luck, Julia, I've been there, am there, and I wish you all the best.
Gypsey
We are looking for a facility in the Sonoma Co. that could house & care for our 82 yr. old mother who is in a wheelchair and affected by Parkinsons. Currently she is in a facility back in Michigan, and we'd like to bring her out here so we can see her regularly and manage her care more closely. It is important that she will be able to stay in a place that will accept MedicAid (is that what it's called her in Calif?) within a year or two as her money will run out in time... Any kind of compassionate care advice or other information to guide is is HUGELY appreciated! Thanks for reading... Julia