Q. My sister, Freda, age 70, resides in Rockville, Maryland, and is physically disabled. Due to her disability, has been cared for in her home by nursing aides 24/7 for the past several years. Luckily, our parents had amassed considerable
savings before they died, and left money for Freda in a special needs trust which has been paying for these round-the-clock caregivers, but the money in this special needs trust is about to run out. We know that this kind of long-term care is not covered by Medicare or her Medicare supplemental insurance, or her Medicaid health insurance, but we would like to do whatever we can keep her at home, where she is comfortable and her needs are being met.
I’ve read about Medicaid waivers that could help her afford home-based care. I also heard that Maryland has a wait list of over 20,000 names — one of the longest in the country — and that the vast majority of families see their loved ones check into nursing homes or die before they hear back.
Is anything being done in Maryland for residents with disabilities, such as Freda, who want to remain at home and receive Medicaid long-term care coverage at home? Thanks for your help!
