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My mother (now 87) has lived with me since 2019 after my step dad of 30 years had to go into memory care. They had to sell everything that they own and he later died from covid. Since January of 2024, she has had covid, colon cancer diagnosis, colon cancer surgery, cataract surgery in both eyes, fitting for hearing aids (which she won't wear), broken hip in July (I had left the house for 20 minutes) followed by 2 weeks in hospital, then 3 weeks in skilled nursing, then 3 months in care home (paid for out of pocket). She came home week of Thanksgiving. Since then 3 falls. She has vasal vaga disorder issues so she can get really light headed when on the toilet. The last one five weeks ago she actually fainted in the bathroom at 2 in the morning and she ripped the skin off one arm from wrist to elbow. Four days later she was incoherent and could barely move. Cue ambulance. Acute UTI (she won't bath even with a walk in tub, so duh!). Two weeks in hospital (no real diagnosis other than the UTI) where she got Hospital Acquired Delirium (that was fun), follow by another 3 weeks in Skilled nursing where she broke her foot (even with being noted as a fall risk), followed by another 4 days in the hospital after possible seizure when she got upset that she had to stay one more day to be discharged, and now she is home. She seems to be cognitively OK, but now she can't even readjust her position in the bed or get the bed or TV remote six inches from her. It's a nightmare for me to even try and get her out of bed, so I'm not even trying any more. PT will be coming a few days a week but that doesn't really help. Her SSI is too much to qualify for Medicare for a nursing home. Also complicated because she is also on my house deed because when I moved almost three years ago I did not qualify for the mortgage by myself because my old place had not sold so I was paying two mortgage until the old place sold. I'm in the process of refinancing to remove her, but there is still the five year lookback to worry about. To go back to the care home will now cost twice as much because she can't walk now, and is paid out of pocket, so she will be bankrupt in about a year. I have a lead for home health services to come but they won't come every day and they aren't even able to come for an eval for another six days from now. That is also paid out of pocket, but her SSI is enough to cover it. I'm 69 y/o single male, and I'm not retired but luckily I work mostly from home, but I do have to leave sometimes for hours at a time (I'm a Realtor). I'm afraid that I'm going to hurt myself physically trying to move her. She's only 125 lbs, but that is dead weight. I also have to draw the line at changing and cleaning up my mom's dirty diapers. I just can't do that. I can help her get the diaper over her feet, but that is not always enough. Luckily she has only pooped once since she came home, and that was after I tried to get her off the bed into a wheelchair and she just kind of slid to the floor. I had to keep her there covered up and as comfortable as I could make her because I couldn't pick her up, and PT was scheduled to be here an hour later. She pooped on the floor and the PT person helped clean her up. ugh. I know, TMI. So now I'm afraid to leave home, I'm having to wait on her with food in her bed, she can't turn on the tv, she can't lower her adjustable bed from the sit-up position so she tends to go sideways, which means I have to try an move her physically to keep her from falling off the bed. She constantly says she is pain from her broken foot, and hip surgery (which is completely healed). Her 78 sister lives near by and can help me some, but she is limited as well. I'm in relatively good health (other than stressed to the max), so I don't know what will happen if I get ill. Ooops, gotta run. I can hear that she just dropped something on the floor. Rant over.

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She needs a nursing home. Hire a good attorney that specializes in elder care, assets and Medicaid and get her placed. Yes, her assets may be depleted, but don’t you think she (and you) will be better off in a facility that is able to handle her care needs?
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Reply to mstrbill
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You wrote " To go back to the care home will now cost twice as much because she can't walk now, and is paid out of pocket, so she will be bankrupt in about a year." If she has enough money to pay for a year of care, then do that. As she approaches that point, apply for Medicaid. If it's delayed because of something in the look-back, deal with that then. Her care needs are clearly more than anyone can provide at home, so she needs to be placed for her safety and for your health. It's noble of you to try, but you are not superman, so just face reality and do what both of you need. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
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Reply to MG8522
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Your mother should probably be in managed, residential care now. Check out a few places. She can qualify for Medicaid if she's low income and doesn't have assets. If she does, a care facility will still take her although her assets will have to be 'spent-down' on her care before she can become Medicaid eligible.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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Now what?
I think now it is time to figure out what will work best for her end of life care.
I think it is important to consider her needs, but they are not the real concern at this time. This has now moved to the point where YOU need to decide just what you can manage ongoing.
It seems to me as though this is now in the realm of Hospice, Palliative, and in-facility care where you can return to the role of DD (darling daughter) and leave caregiving, which isn't sustainable without several shifts of several people each at this point.

So the "what now" is to move to some careful discussion, thinking, planning and talking with Mom. You are going to have to be honest that you cannot sustain this level of care yourself at this point.
This is tough. This is another loss. There will be tears. And this is worth grieving. If this isn't, what is?
Enlist clergy, social worker, therapist. Whatever you think may help.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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cover9339 Feb 26, 2025
Lol Thanks so much for the much needed laugh

The OP is a 69 yr old male :}
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IMO you are in over your head, she needs a NH, if she doesn't have the money for self-pay apply to Medicaid.

Time to make a hard decision, she needs more help than you can provide. Do what is best for the both of you.

Sorry about this, it is what it is.
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Reply to MeDolly
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She really needs a Nursing home at this Point . Speak with an elder attorney sometimes they will give you a half Hour consultation for free . You sound exhausted and No Longer able to care for . I Know because I have been there with my Mother .
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Reply to KNance72
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If you aren't prepared to have her in a nursing home you can hire help to bathe her but the daily stuff is going to be up to you. When I was caring for my mother it was all doable as long as she was able to stand and pivot from bed to wheelchair to toilet/commode etc. I'd try to find a way to place her at least temporarily to see if rehab can get her weight bearing, or alternatively attempt PT at home. Ultimately you need to work with an elder law attorney well versed in medicaid to help you untangle your assets so that she can access the care she needs.
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Reply to cwillie
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Call your County Area Agency of Aging . Tell them , Mom’s care is beyond what you can provide and that you need help placing her in a facility ASAP that can meet Mom’s needs . Call today , Mom is not getting proper care .
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Reply to waytomisery
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Go speak to an elder care attorney immediately. You cannot care for mother at home if you are unwilling/unable to bathe her or change her disposable briefs. Let the attorney guide you about MedICAID and what she can do to qualify now.

Best of luck.
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