AboutKyla G. Kelim Expertise I am an attorney, licensed to practice in AL and FL. Our firm handles elder law exclusively, including issues surrounding the financial and legal matters that will come up in a nursing home, or possible nursing home situation, including many of the questions offered here. I cannot offer legal advice except to residents of Alabama and Florida. The answers will be based on federal law and contain a disclaimer.
Experience Fifteen years of practicing law, our firm has sixty years of collective experience in this area.
Organizations Alabama State Bar, Florida State Bar
Education/Credentials J.D. 1993, Cumberland School of Law, Samford Univ., Birmingham, AL
B.S. 1990, Business Administration, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Expert: Kyla G. Kelim Date: 6/10/2008 Subject: Nursing Home Qualifying
Question My mother has Dementia and my father is terminally ill. She is going to have to go into a nursing home at some point this year. She has a small SS income and some saved money. I believe that I will have to private pay for the home until her assets are spent down but can I get her medicaid approved before that time? Once approved how long before you actually have to enter a home?
Answer Rose, you cannot apply for nursing home Medicaid until she is in a nursing home. If your father passes away prior to this, she must have less than $ 2,000.00 in assets prior to going in the nursing home, but you can spend her money on things like prepaid funeral expenses. I would not do anything without the advice of a good elder law attorney. Your mother may qualify for some community (at home) care through a Medicaid waiver program prior to her entering the nursing home. I would check with your area agency on aging for more information.
