My father is 93 with Alzheimer's. He's home now with me monitoring cameras and paying people to "visit" to keep dad safe. He's on an approximate 6-month waiting list for a facility we have chosen.
Should I have a "plan b" in case dad declines over the next few months where he's no longer safe at home or do I have to wait until he actually gets hurt before I can find temporary housing? We are going to apply at an AL nearby but it seems like he can make it a few more months and by then an AL would seem a waste of time/money for that short period of time.
I think he'll be ok over the next 6 months but if things "go south" could I get him into a NH for a month or two paying cash and if so should I be calling these places now? Any other ideas if he only needs a couple or few months?
In answer to your question - some facilities offer respite or short stays, you would have to call around to see what is available, Your area agency on aging is also a good resource, they can do a needs assessment of him and point you to the programs and facilities available to you.
Yes, have Plan B. Please do not wait.
Please plan for contingencies now, check out facilities now, know what services are offered in your state/county now. A few suggestions:
1. Plan B should include a nursing home in case Dad has a STEEP decline. You could also ask there about respite care.
2. Were you able to find a standalone respite facility nearby?
3. I see on one continuing care community's website an offering of a 30-day program for people transitioning from the hospital or whose caregivers need a break ("are out of town"). It's a way for them to market their services. But it's 30 days...
4. In-home respite care doable?
My mother is under Hospice care and she is fairly robust these days. Hospice has been wonderful. They provide supplies, a weekly or bi-weekly nurse visit, they call and check in, they can provide a hospital bed, an aide to help with bathing, a free volunteer to sit with your father while you take a break and they have a place for respite.
Maybe they can help you.
If he does need NH care, it appears you would be self pay until his money (like savings) runs out. When income and savings exceed cost of care, it's self pay. When the savings runs out, would his income still exceed cost of NH care? If yes, he continues as a self pay. Should income be less than cost of NH care, he applies for Medicaid to get state to cover what his income won't. You just let NH know when he's getting close to not having enough money to pay and their social worker should help you complete the application. Start getting about 5 years of bank account records and other property info together - Medicaid looks back 5 yrs from date of application to make sure he hasn't given /property money away, sold a house below market, etc.