Nursing Home and Medicaid Question

[Nyxx]

Jurisdiction

New York

I'll try to keep this brief as possible. My husband and I live in my 92 y.o. father's house, and we are his caretakers. He has multiple health problems and so do I. My husband works full time so I'm usually caring for him by myself because I don't work. His health had deteriorated to the point where the doctors say he needs 24 hour care and it's time to put him in a nursing home.

When I mentioned this to a hospital social worker this afternoon, she said that we have to sell the house before we can get him into a nursing home. This would be difficult for multiple reasons, but mainly that my father is a hoarder. He also has little cash, so to clean out the house would put a dent in our savings which would be bad as we live in high cost of live area and can't afford to spend money on cleaning out my father's house. I read that the house would not have to be sold before getting him into a home but is this true?

I realize that there is no chance for us to hold onto the house long term, but I was hoping to get my Dad settled and stay their briefly while we make find a place for ourselves. I know that sounds terrible, but we're just trying to get my father the help he needs while keeping a roof over our own heads.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[welkin]

Does your father receive SS and Medicare or are you trying to get him into a home through Medicaid or a combination of them?

Your father's total assets including the property (real or personal), bank and brokerage accounts, and pensions matter. His net worth may have to be reduced to make him eligible for assistance.

Talk to an elder care planning specialist for what may need to be done.

How long is your father expected to survive?

 

[adjusterjack]

can't afford to spend money on cleaning out my father's house.

You don't have to spend money to clean out the house. Have a yard sale. Use Craigslist and Next Door to advertise it. Sell anything that's useful. What can't be sold and is useful, load up your car and take it to goodwill, or take everything to goodwill if you don't want to do a yard sale. Whatever is junk, throw in your trash can every week.

 

[zddoodah]

When I mentioned this to a hospital social worker this afternoon, she said that we have to sell the house before we can get him into a nursing home.

That's not even the slightest bit true. What this person actually meant is that your father will have to exhaust his own financial resources before he can be eligible for nursing home care paid for by the state. If he has sufficient financial resources (including insurance) to cover the cost, he is free not to sell his home.

As far as cleaning out the home, do it yourself (free) or hire some college students (low cost) and follow "adjusterjack's" suggestions.