need advice

What is the name of your state? Michigan
My situation…
For about three years now my family and I have moved in with, and been taking care of my elderly grandmother after the death of my mother.
She (grandma) is in the mid phases of Alzheimer’s and requires constant supervision.

We gladly take this responsibility however tedious.

I am the power of attorney and have been doing my best to take care of her financial situation. Keeping her best interests in mind.

The biggest problem we have encountered is the cost of health care.
When my mother was around, grandma and mom were receiving state Medicaid, which covered most if not all of her medical expenses.
After moms death the state told us that grandma had too much equity and could not receive the health coverage any longer.

Grandma’s equity at the time was three properties. Moms house and vacant lot, grandmas home, and under $2000 in her banking account.

Since, I have sold the vacant lot, and am now in the process of selling moms house. (At quite a low price due to its run down condition)

Now I am told I can re apply for her Medicare wavier after I show that grandma meets the equity requirements (I believe it is one home and under $2000 in a banking account)

I would have to spend the money from the house sale, on improvements to her home to get to that $2000 limit. Or put the money in an account not in her name (there is a name and another set of rules for this that I cant remember) and use it for her expenses.

How do I protect my family’s interest?

We have sold our home; put off building on property we have bought, and dedicated three years of our lives to grandma.
If she doesn’t get the wavier it wont take long for the 2000 in her bank account to disappear. (Or the extra in the bank account above)

Can I buy grandmas house on quick claim deed? Or do I have to go about it some other way.

I hate to sound like this but I would like to get something for putting my family in this situation, and I’m sure my grandma would too.

Thank you,
Darren

[JETX]

"How do I protect my family’s interest?

We have sold our home; put off building on property we have bought, and dedicated three years of our lives to grandma."
*** Darren, I believe you have been benefiting in this situation in that your family is living rent and payment free for the last three years or so. Assuming a monthly rent of $700 or so (or higher), that would mean that you have 'benefited' to the tune of about $25,200 in the past three years.... not a bad 'chunk of change' to have NOT spent.

And that doesn't even mention anything about the money that you made from the sale of your home when you moved in.

Originally posted by JETX
"How do I protect my family’s interest?

We have sold our home; put off building on property we have bought, and dedicated three years of our lives to grandma."
*** Darren, I believe you have been benefiting in this situation in that your family is living rent and payment free for the last three years or so. Assuming a monthly rent of $700 or so (or higher), that would mean that you have 'benefited' to the tune of about $25,200 in the past three years.... not a bad 'chunk of change' to have NOT spent.

And that doesn't even mention anything about the money that you made from the sale of your home when you moved in.

We have sold our home; as of last month...
as far as all the money we made of the house? Not much equity in a house you have only been paying on for a few years I sold it for 2000 more than the value of the loan...
and yes we were renting our the house..$400 a month, mortgage payment was 450 a month not including insurance and taxes. So yes I didn’t loose much money but it didn’t do much good

ya we benefit allot !!!
Considering that grandmas soc security is only 1200 a month and her monthly home health care is just a bit over 1000 a month and then there are her prescriptions at over 800 a month then there is her mortgage payment of 350 a month her taxes yada yada
Where do ya think the money for the things she needs comes from when she runs outa cash?
Oh have you ever paid a home health care person to stay the weekend so you and your family can go on a getaway? Or add the cost of the 6yr old to the duties for a night out with the wife? It’s not cheap
anyway the thing is my family has given up everything...we had a good start and in time will have to start over.

You said.
Assuming a monthly rent of $700 or so (or higher), that would mean that you have 'benefited' to the tune of about $25,200 in the past three years
so you think that $69 a month is reasonable pay for quality home health care for the elderly? I wish that the folks that we pay thought like that.

[ellencee]

grandson1
I think you are looking at this from a totally misinformed point of view. Medicaid isn't going to save you enough money to justify selling your inheritance.

Hang on to the equity, the property, the house, etc. Rent out the house and use the income to supplement your grandmother's income. I'm sorry you sold the vacant lot; if it was a lot that you could have someone to rent for placement of a mobile home or double wide.

Medicaid will only pay for some of her medications and you will have a dickens of a time getting Medicaid to pay for medications that they question or those that are over the limit of 7 or 5, depending on your state.

Medicaid only pays for respite care, which is for the caregiver to have a break, for less than 16 hours a month; usually, it is for 8 hours once a month and during the day time or early evening.

Skilled care, such as Medicare provides, should be available to your grandmother for no charge except for Medicare deductibles.

Sitters, which is all you need, not a bona fide Home Health person, can be hired to 'live in' one weekend a month. That method is much cheaper than paying someone by the hour.

You can ask someone in Home Health for a list of sitters; you can get a list of sitters from Hospice and from the hospital.

You did not state that you are the sole heir, but if you are not, you need to be prepared to show that every penny you spent was for her care. Relatives can become monsters when $ is involved.

If you are the sole heir, please stop selling your inheritance. Medicaid is not the answer.

I believe it would be beneficial for you to sit down with an elder law attorney or an estate lawyer and go over this situation and all of the variables.

Make an appointment with an actual Medicaid home health provider and find out exactly what you would save by switching to Medicaid. I think you will be stunned to find out that you sold your inheritance and gained nothing.

Best wishes,
EC