My family's experience with assisted living is that it isn't about age, but it is about money. My MIL was 79 when she went to assisted living here is DC. The price was unbelievable, but she had her own money. My father is considered quite young at his assisted living facility at 81. The woman across the hall from him just turned 100 and she goes shopping and out to lunch with friends. Of course, the cost of assisted living for my father is much less as he lives in a small town in the midwest.

I hope your DH's grandmother ends up in a place good for her. The assisted living arrangements convinced us to buy long term care insurance.

Does she own her home?

Check with Asbury Methodist.

You might contact the local Office of Aging once you have a clear idea of her income and any resources in her name to see about other assisted living or even just subsidized senior housing options. There are also some settings called Adult Homes which can or can't be appropriate options depending on who is running them AND any senior setting needs close, continuing scrutiny especially as the skills of the elderly person may decline. If DH grandmother is still pretty independent, then see what she can do on her own and then figure out with family members taking on tasks what someone might be hired to do help grandma. Things like meals on wheels, paratransit to a senior day program a couple of days a week for socialization, and other local services need to be investigated.

It is also very important to help grandma get her will, health care directive and power of attorney put in place while her mind is clear so her wishes can be known and so she can designate who she wants to act in her behalf. Also continue to do research on area nursing home facilities in case such care is suddenly needed so that at least there can be a priority list of good to worse.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any comments about assisted living options for very old people? DH's grandmother is ready to move, but we don't know where to begin. She's in Maryland, and no one in the family has a lot of money.

Google Seabury Assisted living. They've a very nice facility in Friendship Heights and another in Silver Spring that is more tilted toward nursing care. Seabury is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and is meant for people without a lot of money. (In fact if you've got it, they won't take you). Good luck.

No Medicaid for assisted living, expect to pay > $60,000 per year for assisted living. So I think the only thing you can do with no money is do it yourself or hire people part time to do a little of this and a little of that. Go to your office on aging to get up to date facts.

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe Medicaid will pay for assisted living. Nursing hone yes, but if she is capable of feeding herself, doing basic things but just needs a little help, she won't qualify for a nursing home with Medicare. Even then, you have to soend dien most of what she has.

If you can convince her to move in and devote assets to paying for a part time care giver, that's a better approach. Takes a large burden off of you but it stretches limited funds and you can oversee care more closely.

There is a medicaid waiver program in md. You call to get on the waitlist. The list is a five or more year wait.

I don't believe Medicaid will pay for assisted living. Nursing hone yes, but if she is capable of feeding herself, doing basic things but just needs a little help, she won't qualify for a nursing home with Medicare. Even then, you have to soend dien most of what she has.

If you can convince her to move in and devote assets to paying for a part time care giver, that's a better approach. Takes a large burden off of you but it stretches limited funds and you can oversee care more closely.

She's 92 and in good health for her age, so I was thinking more along the lines of assisted living. She doesn't want to move in with anyone -- she says she'll never be a burden to her children.

It might come to that, but we're trying to find a way for her to make her own choices about how she lives.

It depends on her needs. There are some low income ones so it depends on where in maryland. If she has no savings and social security, her option is medicaid and its a long painful process and she has to have under $2500 in assests.

Can she move in with anyone? How old?

Does anyone have any comments about assisted living options for very old people? DH's grandmother is ready to move, but we don't know where to begin. She's in Maryland, and no one in the family has a lot of money.