My 88 year-old Grandmother was in the hospital for a few days this week and they recommended she look into assisted living as they think she should not live alone anymore. She isn’t sick or disabled, but has a hard time doing daily things on her own.
I have checked into a few places, none being less than $2000 a month for basic room and board. Are there any programs or government assistance for elderly people in California who can’t afford that price? My family says they have checked all over the state and because of it’s economic status they are too broke to help the elderly.
Ask your Congressman. Your grandmother will most likely have to “spend down” all her assets before the government will begin to pay. Often, the gov’t will pay about 200 days (?) a year, after she’s spent down. Best of luck.
I can’t address the OP as to gov’t help, except some program may provide an hour or so a day of attendant’s time for specific tasks, ie bathing. Maybe SSI will help.
This is where a social worker can be invaluable, knowing the resources available.
That said: Until you talk to one, be aware of the differences between “assisted living”, “skilled nursing facilities”, and other situations. Insurance most likely covers hospitals, and may not cover anything else.
The $2000 a month only covers what is specified in the contract. When my uncle and aunt moved into assisted living, they turned out to need extras beyond the rent, ie some hours of a personal duty nurse, and of course that added to the expense.
Has your family looked into her living in her home, with someone looking after her? Possibly live-in? Relative or hired attendant? This depends a lot on the situation, ie condition of the residence, safety issues, personality, physical and mental shape of your grandmother, the attendant’s required level of professionalism, etc. The attendant can’t work 24x7, and in any case family members need to be nearby and involved.
It is by no means always practical for the person to stay in their home, and the decision can be stressful.
My folks were able to stay in their home, with a live-in attendant plus me on the weekends. For my aunt and uncle, that is completely impossible, for a combination of reasons.
CA Medicaid only pays for nursing homes, not assisted living. My dad was in a nursing home which I wouldn’t wish on anyone, so that should absolutely be your last choice. My mother’s friend in in an assisted living facility in Vallejo, CA, the Gold country, and for less than 2,000 a month getswonderful three meals and they check on her several times a day and bring her medication. Previously, we had two women coming into the house to take care of dad before my mom couldn’t deal with it anymore. That worked fairly well except we weren’t able to find anyone 24/7 so my mother had to put him in bed and get him up, which is hard on an 82 year old woman. I had a hard time trusting a complete stranger alone with my elderly parents and we were extremely fortunate to find great people. It is about $1735 for the smallest unit at the assisted living in Vallejo. Here’s a link:
Good luck. I went through all this for about a year and a half and it was very stressful. I saw them take my dad’s entire retirement (after Medicaid) for terrible care and horrible food until he died a few months after he went in.
Talk to a social worker about other issues also, ie ‘living will’ etc. I find I can’t post competently and tactfully on that subject, and it is an important one, and some day in the future you will be very glad it was addressed.
Your grandmother’s HMO probably has a social worker, and hospitals do, and otherwise you can get recommendations from medical people. The SW is the pro for the questions in the OP, and other questions that will arise.