This must be an unusual question because I can't find suggestions anywhere. I'm hoping this forum can give me some ideas. My mother is in late stage dementia and has been in a nursing home for 3 years on Medicaid. According to the NH, in our state of CT, she gets to keep $60 a month from SSI and $90 a month from the VA. I find it a challenge to keep her bank account below the $1600 maximum so that she continues to qualify for Medicaid. A haircut in the facility costs a mere $20 and she definitely wouldn't enjoy or need a haircut every month. I buy her clothes, shoes, special toiletries, treats from time to time but $150 a month is alot to spend on these kind of items. I bought her flowers, seasonal decor gifts, cozy outfits and blanket, Alzheimer "toys". I'm at a loss of what else I can use this money on. My mother's dementia is at the point where she wouldn't enjoy leaving the facility so going out for lunch or ice cream is no longer a possibility. She already has a TV in her room that she doesn't watch. The nursing staff suggested a medical recliner for her room but seriously there is barely room for that and I know she wouldn't use it. She spends most of her days in her wheelchair in the community room. Recently I've had a massage therapist come in to give her a chair/hand massage which she enjoys. I will continue to do that but I need some ideas for more big ticket items so that I can get her account down to a balance that is easier to maintain under the limit. I know, its a ridiculous problem to have. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have some ideas to spend money on for a late stage dementia resident of a nursing home?
Keep spending on your choices. Does she like music? She doesn’t watch television but would she listen to music? Or audio books?
Give her flowers every week or 2xs a week.
Anything that she can benefit from in anyway is exactly what you should do.
Can you hire a caregiver to come in and help her with interaction that she enjoys?
I think that you have good solutions already, you just need to keep them on a regular schedule.