Sibling has early onset, so he is young and physically healthy. That said, he is highly hallucinatory, and obviously cannot stay living on his own. No one can take him in in the family. He is still capable of doing all tasks, but has to be reminded and sometimes directed. Since we expect a long road, we are trying to figure out how and how long we can make his funds last. So my two questions are:
1: What have been your costs for assisted living with memory care (especially in AZ)? 2: Would selling his house impact medicare at a later point.?
Medicaid is a State program where your assets are considered. There is Medicaid for health insurance and Medicaid for in home care and Longterm care.
Yes, the selling of brothers house could effect Medicaid down the line. It should be sold at market value. Any proceeds need to be put aside for his care and needs only. No gifting large amounts no loaning. Records need to be kept.
We cannot tell you the costs of ALs and Memory cares in your area. We are all from different States and Countries. You will need to to a search on ur own. Those near or in cities may cost more than those in smaller towns.
Is it possible that he would qualify for a Group Home?
And final question right now from me is...Is he a Veteran? If so contact your local Veterans Assistance Commission and see what services he may qualify for.
"The SSA does not set an age limit for applying for disability. But, you must know that there are a few specific rules for applicants over 65 years old. If you are over 65 the SSA requires a full review of your medical records to show any possible age-specific impairments related to aging."
You will want to get a needs assessment done on your brother, every facility requires this to be done, you also want to get a TB test, every facility will require a negative test before admission.
The housing market is insane in AZ right now, as you know. So it is a great time to sell his house to pay for his present and future care.
If it is kept and he gets ALTCS he will not be able to pay anything towards any house costs and any rent from it will most likely cause him to be ineligible for assistance. There is an income cap for eligibility.
Because of your brothers age and diagnosis, he will probably not go to one facility for the rest of his life. You will be moving him, prepare yourself for that reality now, it makes it easier to cope with.
Do a search for senior placement advisors, if you don't want to do the leg work yourself. They will help you find a facility that he can afford. I had terrible luck with a place for mom, so I would avoid them like the plague. Use a small company and use several, they don't work with all the facilities and there are thousands in the greater Phoenix area.
I would also find a certified elder law attorney and make sure that you have the proper paperwork to be your brothers legal advocate www.nelf.org is the best place to find a certified elder law attorney, they know what is what and actually cost less because you are not paying for them to learn, big issue with elder law right now.
Even though people will tell you that the house can be kept and hidden as an asset if he can self pay for 5 years, I recommend selling it now, you don't know what the housing market will be and you don't know that he won't need help before then. It is not worth the risk to try and defraud the system, not saying you will or would but, people here will tell you to try. Losing the ability to get assistance in your situation would be devastating to your family and your brother.
I found that board and care homes were the most cost effective. It really depends on your brother and what he would use in a facility. My dad had no use for the activities and it was a waste of money to pay for a facility that had them. If your brother can share a room it will be even more cost effective, ALTCS recipients will share a room, so I would consider this to start, if he can deal with it. My dad loved his roommates and it was a good thing, however, not all people are easy to get along with, make sure the facility has a method to deal with roommate issues, some do not.
Best of luck finding the best facility for your brother.