My mom has schizophrenia and fairly young. In her early 60s. She's lucky enough to have a trust and money to support her for a few years but will eventually have to go on Medicaid once it runs out.
This has been keeping me up at night because I've heard Medicaid SNFs are terrible - described as the worst living conditions one could be in.
Is this the case? Will she be living an okay life being fully cognitive in that kind of environment? I'm presuming she may be there for many years. Are there some that are nicer than others?
Any honest answers or experiences are helpful.
https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes&ved=2ahUKEwjWsuHLz4bjAhVZZM0KHR-MBW0QFjAOegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2BNnBB_lUoPrtK6sMNEAM_
Many of them do not have the resort/hotel feel to them, but the care is excellent. There is one in my area, probably more, that is a continuum of care facility owned by a religious organization. It actually looks nice. The care is excellent. The drawback is that there is a two plus year waiting list.
There are independent living apartments, assisted living apartments, memory care and a nursing home. If you plan soon enough an apartment can be obtained, then the spend down is all accomplished while living in the same facility so relatively easy to receive increased level of care when needed.
Or get recommendations from a geriatric care manager. They have the inside scoop. Start. Your shopping soon.
You really need to go and look at facilities for yourself. Your mom is lucky to have you for her advocate!
You need to tour the facilities where you are interested in placing your loved one. This is a totally personal decision. Even the most beautiful facility may not be the right fit for your loved one’s needs.
My mom was in a Medicaid facility. It was a wonderful place. It was clean and bright and the staff was kind and caring. It wasn’t one of the “resort” style facilities but she needed kind and caring staff and not a gourmet dining room with a chef and a bar or a boutique clothing shop. When she transferred to the Alzheimer’s unit, the staff there was kind to her as well, worrying about her stubborn penchant for taking off without her walker.
Do your homework and visit the facility personally. This is truly the best way to make this decision.
I see by your profile that you are caring for your mother living at home. Does that mean she is living at home independently and you are taking care of her, or that you are living together? Just wanted to get a clearer picture. Beside your mother’s schizophrenia, does she have any other physical limitations?
I don’t know where you live, but I can’t imagine where you heard that Medicaid SNF’s are “the worst living conditions one could be in”! That would keep me up at night too, if I thought that. I’m so glad that you reached out to us here to get some truth. I can’t speak for all states, but here in one of the poorest states in the Union, SNFs don’t separate into Medicaid or self-pay facilities - they are a mixture of both, and as someone has already stated, the staff doesn’t discriminate in their care. Besides the fact that to do so would be illegal and unethical, they just don’t know who is on Medicaid or is self-pay! Only the business office knows.
Some of these facilities are run better than others, but there is a lot of state oversight,
My parents are both in a SNF. It is not home, but it is clean, and cheerfully decorated, and has two full-time activities directors to keep the residents occupied if they so choose. Every day there is some volunteer group who comes in to entertain or just interact with the patients. The food is good, and they try to accommodate the residents’ food preferences from time to time (my father’s craving for fried okra).
Since your mother has some funds, she may be able to go to an Assisted Living facility first, which is generally self-pay.
You may want to find a Continuing Care facility that provides different levels of care, from independent living to skilled nursing.
My mother was diagnosed with bipolar disease (formerly called manic-depression) over 6O years ago, and was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for decades. It is only in the last 16-17 years when first we, her children, and now, the facility, took charge of her medication, that her mental health stabilized. Her worst psychiatric episodes in recent years occurred due to UTI’s which are common in the elderly.
I think the main question is how stable is your mother when her mental illness is controlled, and what other disabilities does she have. Sorry this post is so long, but I have been where you are, worrying about a parent - everyone on this forum has been there. There is so much misinformation out there. I hope we have helped you to get a good night’s sleep!
I have very minor experiences with SNF but i just remember one my dad went to after a surgery - it was a nightmare, very drab and outdated looking. People screaming, loud noises, poor response time etc...
She's doesn't have any issues outside of her mental illness. She just had knee surgery but has recovered very well. She can walk on her own, dress, bath, etc... so physically independent in that sense. She just needs medication management.
We're located in Southern California - we have family in San Diego and I'm in LA so she would mostly likely be situated in either place.
I think you want to start out looking at geographically convenient places and visit them. Cast your net farther if you don't find anything that suits close by.
You might consider not mentioning her schizophrenia upfront; let them read a detailed report from her treating psychiatrist after you've made a visit.