Here are a few questions that have occurred to us recently that some of you may have some insight into.
As I mentioned above, taking care of my 86-y.o. MIL with dementia has not been too hard, but it’s become a bit tougher in the last few weeks because she sometimes forgets to use the toilet, and doesn’t always wipe herself properly when she does use it. We have switched her from panty liners to disposable absorbent panties, but things have gotten a little more icky.
If (when) her condition worsens, at some point we may have to either get part-time in-house care or move her into a full-time nursing home.
How did you deal with these options and transitions? Obviously, if there was no one living with the relative, a nursing home may have been the only choice. But for any of you who were living together, what made you decide to make the move?
Any advice on Medicaid and spending down assets that you’d care to share?
An unhappy thought that occurred to us: if she dies here in the house, what do we do in the first few hours? After some Googling, I found that calling 911 and having the body taken to a hospital is an option, but not necessary, although some official does have to certify the death. I’m going to make some further inquiries with local officials, but your experience may be helpful.
Thanks.