Not sure what to do for my brother.

[58Sunliner]

He is 73 and has severe COPD. He is still able to manage his meds, and functions well but I know he needs to be moved and he doesn't have a lot of money. I would like to know how much people are paying for a managed care, or senior housing with meals. Getting him to agree on making a decision is hard because he is in denial. He thinks he can heal himself to a degree that is not possible. My house is extremely small and I tried to get him to buy a house with me so I could manage his care when the time comes. He doesn't want to, which is fine, I am just afraid he is a fall from being an invalid and then it really becomes an issue. I am the baby sister, he is my eldest brother. Thanks in advance.

[Glorfindel]

1. Long-term care is extremely expensive.

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover what they call "custodial" care. Since you say your brother does not have a lot of money, your best bet would be to see if he qualifies for Medicaid, which does cover custodial care. I believe the monthly rates in this area (northern edge of the metro Atlanta area) are from $7,000.00 to $9,000.00. Good luck!

[58Sunliner]

9. Thanks for info and suggestions.

7k-9k yikes.

[Iris]

2. Do you have a Council on Aging or similar organization in your community?

An agency that could help you determine what services he may be eligible for to stay in his home? That is becoming preferred over facility care. I wish I had known more about what was available when my f-I-l was widowed.

[58Sunliner]

10. Currently he is renting and resides a few blocks away.

I'll look into resources.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. "heal himself to a degree that is not possible"

Denial is part of health problems for most of us, but it does give us comfort! There are doctors, there are meds. But I would also say don't neglect diet and the role of inflammation. Greatly reduced sugar, about 80%, and salt, and out with the junk foods. My real point is to mention ground flax meal mixed with psyllium powder because that has helped me, not that I have COPD, but congestion to some degree, yes. Now more than 50% reduced.

With the cost of managed care we all try to squeeze an extra few months out of our current living situation.

[58Sunliner]

11. but it does give us comfort!-That is the truth.

My brother used to run and had a fantasy about taking it up again. His ability to exert himself is very limited. He gets winded walking to the car and getting in. It scares me at times.

[samnsara]

4. When it came time to place my uncle into assisted living....

..we had to sell his house QUICK as thats what paid for it. The VA picked up some services in there such as bathing but its a la cart and the more services you need..the more you pay each month. Ive seen rates in my area run from 3-7000 a month! My uncle went thru the house money in about a year then he was going to be transferred to a welfare paid nursing home. He passed before he had to make that move.

Now if my uncle had been in a hospital ( from a fall etc) then the doc could have dx him to assisted living or nursing home and then it would have been paid for..medicare I think, and some insurance. But he was an old soldier and remained mobile until one day he wasnt.

Things happen really fast so have a plan ready just in case. If hes a vet call the VA and see what services he qualifies for at home. My dad had 100% and my uncle had much less than that and the services are based of the % of disability.

Good luck...and be sure to take care of yourself.

[people]

7. Medicare

Medicare does not pay for assisted living, but will pay for the 1st 6 mos. of a nursing home or a rehab facility if someone is sent there by a dr. when discharged from the hospital.

[58Sunliner]

12. Thanks. I am trying to prevent a multi-faceted crisis.

Unfortunately he is not a vet. Your uncle went through the money in a year. Ouch.

[Bayard]

5. If he's not agreeable to anything you've already suggested,

Then he's probably not going to want to hear what steps are necessary to qualify for Medicaid. It may already be too late, but he needs to put his house, as well as other major assets, in your name, for one thing.

We the same situation with my parents. They had to sell their house, and then do a, "spend down." But we were finally able to get them into a nice new assisted living facility, with adjoining rooms. My Mom even got to keep her cat.

[58Sunliner]

13. The look back period is 5 years, unfortunately. Thanks.

[Freddie]

6. If he (or his wife) served in the military during designated wartimes

He is eligible for a veteran’s benefit that pays for a certain amount per month of assisted living. My dad was a WWII vet and would have been eligible, and the place he was in would have worked toward getting him this but he passed before he ran out of $$. My FIL, a Korea vet, was also eligible.

[people]

8. Food delivery service for people are ill and/or elderly

Is Meals on Wheels something they have in your brother's area? They are a great organization. Here is their website:'

https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/

[58Sunliner]

14. Thanks.

[Easterncedar]

15. I got a friend into assisted living

She also has COPD and was being evicted from her apartment, too ill to cope. It was miraculous: the application process was not easy, but it helped that I spoke directly to the property manager of several facilities in town, who was really responsive to my asking for help. My friend had been turned down several times, but it turned out there was a program she was eligible for. With the manager’s advice, we got a nurse to certify that my friend needed daily living help, and the city assistance program determined she was eligible for its program to subsidize her housing and services at a wonderful local assisted living apartment building. Her cost was calculated as a percentage of her social security income. After just 3 months staying with me, she was able to move into the new apartment.

Everyone should be so lucky: rather, such good service should be, in this wealthy society of ours, easily available to everyone! Good luck with your brother. COPD is a terrible condition.

[58Sunliner]

16. How wonderful for your friend to have a good friend!

I know some of the low cost senior housing here is awful. People smoke in their rooms and the places smell awful. Theft and noise too. They used to make us vote in a rec room at one residence. I called the state. So unhealthy!!

[Easterncedar]

17. Yes, good places are rare.

I really couldn’t believe things worked out so well for my pal. Her place is so nice and clean and well-run. She has a beautiful view of the river, too.