Saw this and had to share re nursing homes,

I just now finished that article and was thinking about posting it too. It's something that I don't think a lot of people realize and it's something I keep trying to get my huzz to at least consider, that there are ways to start preparing--downsizing where we live, etc.--to lessen the chances of ending up like those in the article. Thanks for posting.
 
I know. It seems like many start with a decent nest egg then they start paying for the nursing home, sell everything they own, run out of money so then qualify for Medicaid. Lucky we have that or they would be on the street.
 

These places have a high liability. They also have a much higher profit which is why people are willing to own them and rake in the money.

Everything is supposedly provided, leaving this small amount. But the article is right, cheap rough kleenex, crappy lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc. Usually the facility has donated clothes, some books and magazines. Some activities. Too many staff members are interested in their next smoke break and work socialization than actually giving the residents full attention.

On another hand, smoke breaks are supervised and staff is taken off the floor for that. The smokers get their cigarettes. Some residents have family that provide cookies, sodas and other treats. If they don't, they are stuck with that 30-40 dollars or whatever it is.

Also while the little old ladies and elderly gentlemen do reside in nursing homes, those places have their demographic of people in their 40's-60's with psych issues, personality disorders, history of severe drug use so they are now on dialysis and may also continue to smoke which is enabled. Formerly homeless unable to live on the street anymore. And their entitlement is real.
 
hearlady said:
I know. It seems like many start with a decent nest egg then they start paying for the nursing home, sell everything they own, run out of money so then qualify for Medicaid. Lucky we have that or they would be on the street.
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It can be a detriment to have assets if a nursing home is needed. The place will take it all and then the person goes on medical.
 
And you can't keep your assets either by giving them away to your children, or whoever. I think any such donations had to be at least 5 years before going into the nursing home. I remember those rules when my mother had to go into a nursing home.
 
Sunny said:
And you can't keep your assets either by giving them away to your children, or whoever. I think any such donations had to be at least 5 years before going into the nursing home. I remember those rules when my mother had to go into a nursing home.
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Yep, here in this state, they call it the "look back" period and last I heard it was 5 years. Heck I even became acquainted with a case a few years ago of a gal who tried to qualify for Medic-Aid and was told that even though she had lost her house to foreclosure, there was a look back period of 4 years in that case before she could apply for aid. IIRC, the agent handling her case told her to be grateful it was only 4 years in her case instead of the 5 it would've been if she had sold or given away the house.
 
It’s really awful that people are treated like that. People are better off keeping their assets and paying to be in a decent place until their money runs out versus giving it away and going on Medicaid. Some homes let you stay once you need Medicaid if you self pay for a few years.
 
When my mother went into a nursing home and her money ran out, we were blessed in three respects. It was a nice facility and the people there were so nice to her, so she got excellent care. For most of her stay, they had excellent food. My mother had a lot of nice clothes, so dressing her wasn't a problem. In fact she was named the unofficial best dressed in the facility.

The account manager was very helpful when she first got there. He told me that at some point she would have to go on Medicaid. He said in order to prepare for that, even though the personal asset limit was $2.000, he suggested I spend down to $1,800. I bought the things she would need...toiletries, diapers and occasionally a new article of clothing...just to keep it under $2,000. They took all but $35 of her meager social security but during that time, she really didn't need more. If I spent anything from that, I had to provide the receipt. And of course, if she had needed beyond her monthly allotment, I would have provided it for her.

I feel so sad for those who don't have what they need because their social security and other means are taken, especially if they live in sub par facilities. My son, my late DIL and my honorary daughter all swore they would never see me go into a home. But I know sometimes it can't be helped. At home care is a viable option for me, especially since my Medicare plan has such great coverage for that.
 
As an employee of nursing homes for 26 years, I find articles like this just try to paint a bad picture of nursing homes. Before believing stuff like this, one should first try visiting nursing homes.

An allowance? The only thing a resident has to pay for is hair cuts or perms. The food is free. The toiletries are free. The personal hygiene products are free. The entertainment is free. Family members will come in and put money in a residents account. But they really don't need money. Nor do residents ask for money, since they have come to realize that they don't need money.

Most residents enjoy themselves with other elderly or handicapped people. They make friends, walk around the nursing home and meet other residents who live in other parts of the facility. They enjoy the men's or women's clubs or meetings, Bingo and other activities that are always going on in the Activities Department.

Every day they are eating a different meal for lunch and dinner. They get a balanced diet. There are always nurses and CNA's on duties. If one has health concerns, they are sent to the hospital immediately. I didn't read much of the article since I have seen this crap before.

One needs to have an open mind and have the common sense to realize that just because there may happen to be one nursing home that is sub par, that doesn't mean all facilities are like that. New York has some of the most strictest healthcare laws in the country.

People from the southern states have come to New York State nursing homes to visit relatives. Over the years they have told us that the nursing homes in New York are far better than the ones in the state that they come from. A man from Arkansas told me that one time.

There is no impoverished people in nursing homes. Most have family members who bring in new clothing, birthday and Christmas presents. Those who don't have any family left, still get presents and celebrate their birthdays and the holidays. When people pass on, their families donate their clothing to the facility, and they go to residents who may need more clothing.
 
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Paladin1950 said:
As an employee of nursing homes for 26 years, I find articles like this just try to paint a bad picture of nursing homes. Before believing stuff like this, one should first try visiting nursing homes. An allowance? The only thing a resident has to pay for is hair cuts or perms. The food is free. The toiletries are free. The personal hygiene products are free. The entertainment is free. Family members will come in and put money in a residents account. But they really don't need money. Nor do residents ask for money, since they have come to realize that they don't need money. Most residents enjoy themselves with other elderly or handicapped people. They make friends, walk around the nursing home and meet other residents who live in other parts of the facility. They enjoy the men's or women's clubs or meetings, Bingo and other activities that are always going on in the Activities Department. Every day they are eating a different meal for lunch and dinner. They get a balanced diet. There are always nurses and CNA's on duties. If one has health concerns, they are sent to the hospital immediately. I didn't read much of the article since I have seen this crap before.

One needs to have an open mind and have the common sense to realize that just because there may happen to be one nursing home that is sub par, that doesn't mean all facilities are like that. New York has some of the most strictest healthcare laws in the country. People from the southern states have come to New York State nursing homes to visit relatives. Over the years they have told us that the nursing homes in New York are far better than the ones in the state that they come from. A man from Arkansas told me that one time.

There is no impoverished people in nursing homes. Most have family members who bring in new clothing, birthday and Christmas presents. Those who don't have any family left, still get presents and celebrate their birthdays and the holidays. When people pass on, their families donate their clothing to the facility, and they go to residents who may need more clothing.
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Unfortunately that experience you describe hasn’t always been mine. My mil died because she was 67 and in the rehab wing after being really sick. She kept telling them she was sick and by the time they took her seriously and did blood work she was dead when they came back to transport her to the hospital because she had such a bad infection.

I actually took 2 friends out of crappy places and had them placed in better places. None of these people were on Medicaid. As a social worker I have been in ones that reek of urine, serving the same disgusting food with only a small rotation, having one tv for the entire place, very few activities, etc. Yes people need a little money and maybe they might want to eat something different and tasty like we all do.
 
Paladin1950 said:
. I didn't read much of the article since I have seen this crap before.
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One needs to have an open mind and have the common sense to realize that just because there may happen to be one nursing home that is sub par, that doesn't mean all facilities are like that.

Sounds a tad hypocrital. I mean an open mind helps when reading the "Entire Article" and just because NYC is strict, doesn't mean others aren't.

And saying "They don't "Need" an allowance" .. Yeah, open minded, surrreeeee.
 
I've heard of good ones, and I've heard of bad ones. Just like any other profession, nurses,mechanics,lawyers , police officers, etc & so-on.

My mother was in one she loved . Operated by a St,Paul Lutheran church. She made some friends, it had a caffeteria [with good food] I ate there with her on occasion.

So IMO shopping for the best possible is , in the case on is needed is most important.
 

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