Because dementia diagnosis can take months or even years, it is important to put these steps in order prior to the diagnosis of dementia.
Please visit the links page for a breakdown of these links and more
My father is a veteran so we have a lot of hurdles and red tape to overcome. Becoming a caregiver has left me unable to continue my job search because the doctors told me he cannot be left alone. It is very scary and I am uncertain what our future holds.
Here are a few facts I've discovered throughout our journey.
- Social Security
- Does not recognize Power of Attorney or Durable Power of Attorney as a legally binding document to help caregivers manage funds.
- They have a program called representative payee. Because social security does not recognize durable power of attorney, one must file to be a representative payee. If you do not do this, they may deem a representative from a third party organization, like a nursing home.
- People over the age of 65 cannot file for disability through Social Security, if the illness strikes prior to this age, I recommend filing for benefits immediately.
- Documents to bring with you to the social security office include:
- Doctors diagnosis and recommendation for fund management
- Your I.D., and social security card.
- Identification for your loved one.
- From my experience, regardless of the depth of your loved ones disease, they want the loved one to sign paperwork and be present (this doesn't make sense to me, because they don't know what they are signing anyway, but his is our system, and I imagine it does protect people from taking advantage of the elderly). It does however, make it difficult.
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Does not recognize Power of Attorney or Durable Power of Attorney as a legally binding document to help caregivers manage funds.
- You need an Advanced Medical Directive immediately. This can be obtained through your veteran's physician.
- Fill out and file VA Form 21-0845 - Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party (you), so you can handle paperwork (pension/aid and attendance/benefits) on behalf of your loved one.
- AID AND ATTENDANCE for veterans only exists for those with service related injuries. Service relationship means an injury or secondary disease as a result of injury or exposure during service time. These must be documented.
- Again - a second opinion may be necessary because a VA doctor may not have your family members best interest at heart.
- Caregiver support - as before - most of this takes place in your home - preventing you from working.
- OBTAINING RECORDS
- If your loved one cannot find, has misplaced, or needs current records of service (DD-2214), here are some links. These are also listed on the links page.
- Emergency records
- "Our goal is to complete all urgent requests within two working days. Please contact our customer service staff at (314) 801-0800 if you have questions or require same day service. Due to the large number of calls we receive at this number, hold times are often long. However, once you reach a technician they will be happy to assist you with emergency service"
- Send records and requests to: You can mail or fax your signed and dated request to the National Archives's National Personnel Record Center (NPRC). Most, but not all records, are stored at the NPRC. Be sure to use the address specified by eVetRecs or the instructions on the SF-180. Locations of Military Service Records.
- For Next of Kin
- Alternative Methods to Obtain Records
- OTHER GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:
- Other Federal Government Resources
- GovBenefits.gov
A clearing house listing numerous federal and state benefits programs. - USA.gov for
Military Personnel and Veterans
The U.S. government's official web portal. - Other
Government Agencies and Initiatives for Veterans
Web sites of interest to veterans and other Department of Veterans Affairs customers. Some of them are done in collaboration with the VA, others are offered independently by other government and civilian agencies. - Social Security Administration
Pasted from <http://www.archives.gov/veterans/benefits.html#loca - GovBenefits.gov
- Will
- It's a good idea to have your parent or loved one work out the details of a will prior to diagnosis. However, if your loved one is already diagnosed and does not have a will, it is still possible to complete a will and sign in the presence of an attorney or public notary.
- Medicaid
- Medicaid is usually a state-run program that will help with dementia care through programs that will help your loved one in your own home.
- Assisted living facilities are not included in any medicaid plans, however; they may be covered under a primary insurance if your family has coverage.
- Medicare
- Medicare does not pay for long-term nursing home care for those with dementia.
- The terms specific to Medicare is Custodial Care, Long-Term Nursing Care.
- This is from the Medicare website:
Even if Medicare covers a service or item, you generally have to pay your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments.
Some of the items and services that Medicare doesn't cover include:
- Long-term care (also called custodial care)
- Most dental care
- Eye examinations related to prescribing glasses
- Dentures
- Cosmetic surgery
- Acupuncture
- Hearing aids and exams for fitting them
- Routine foot care
- The burden of care lies solely on the family regardless of income.
- Aging Commission of the MidSouth
- There may be a similar set up in your region - from my experience - all of these organizations are helpful for people with good insurance and/or a retirement fund already in place.
- Public Guardianship - is your loved one becoming a ward of the state. This option varies from state to state, but it must be understood that if you cannot take care of your loved one because you have to work full-time, or have young children that require more time, this may be an option for your family. As the website says, consult a lawyer first..
- Civil Representation - each state uses different terminology. This is an example from Alaska.
- CHOICES Program for Tennessee - this program is for low-income elderly people who meet nursing home requirements. These vary from state-to-state, however, the loved one must first have Medicare or Medicaid.
- HealthCare.GOV - Special circumstances website information
- Tennessee - because my father doesn't currently have medicaid or medicare - we need to exercise the exception rules to the HealthCare Marketplace application that will allow him to receive coverage. Below are some links for these options in Tennessee and these are also on the links page.
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