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Call up your senator - ask to speak to an aide and do not stop asking-- call everyday. Yes the facility will have to have more CNAs to keep the patients from infecting eachother… but there must be a middle of the road--- otherwise they will lose their business-- breach of contract-- also call 211 and find a good elder-lawyer. Good luck.
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This seems unreasonable and appears like price gouging? You are right to question this increase. There are a few things you can do that may help. Contact your states attorney general and tell them the situation. They may open an investigation for price gouging or offer other advice. Call medicare and let them know as well. I am sure they would not be happy paying more and would push the issue on why such a large increase. Contact your states omsbudsman. They advocate for the elderly in facilities. Explain the situation to them...they do have some powers when it comes to facilities and regulations. You should be able to go online and find there contact information. You may also consult with your own elder law attorney. They could be very helpful. If you do not have one...find a attorney who practices elder law. I have one for my mother and she has helped me tremendously. You can also try talking to the facility administrator...it may not change the increase but may offer information or reasons why they are making the increase. Then you can give the information to the other resources I have mentioned. I personally think a 700.00 increase during a pandemic is beyond awful. They must have no compassion what so ever for there elderly patients. We are all struggling to get through this situation and the added expense & stress over how to cover the increase is totally unnecessary right now. Good luck & I hope at least some of this has been helpful.
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disgustedtoo May 2020
If you meant Medicaid, then yes, contact them. If you meant Medicare, please understand that Medicare does not cover any LTC facilities.
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In response to a good remark from drooney on April  7th about it not being easy to qualify for Medicaid because of the "5 year look back period"---.  I never will forget meeting a woman at a church who had a beautiful house in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in our city as well as having a beach house in FL.  She said that she and her husband were giving away their assets to their adult children as fast as legally possible so that they would qualify for Medicaid.  I'm sure that her children had excellent educations and were able to make good livings and I'm also sure that her grandchildren were already spoiled millenials.  My husband and I have had LTC insurance for years at a great expense to us. But we don't think that the rest of the taxpayers in our state or anywhere in the nation should have to pay taxes to keep us in Medicaid beds in skilled living facilities.  I believe that Medicaid is for the "poorest of the poor". I'm sure that the woman and her husband were able to afford an expensive elder law attorney. I believe that the people who are giving away their money to their children may  be in for a shock if they need more than the $30.00(?) a month they're allowed to keep for personal expenses.  I was visiting a facility and told a lady that she would qualify as a member of "Rosie the Riveters", and would be acknowledged as one with a certificate for just $10.00.  She said that she didn't think her son would let her spend HER money that way!
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disgustedtoo May 2020
Hopefully Medicaid will get to extend their lookback period (I read somewhere that might be a possibility, either longer period or unlimited.)

I also hope that these people end up in some less-than-ideal facility for all their wheedling. We did do the trust, POA, will business with mom when dad was failing, but mainly facilitated it as she wanted to do it. I didn't fully understand it all, other than it does protect her as the surviving spouse. The place dad ended up in was not a place I would have chosen. Many times she said she could care for him better at home, but she never made a move to make that happen.

Fast forward to mom starting to show signs of dementia. We had to revisit a few things, set up a new trust, etc. In hindsight, some of these provisions are good, as they can protect the person from themselves. However when the attorney told me to contact him if/when she needs a nursing home, I balked. Apparently the "plan" is exactly what you mention - preserve the assets for the children/heirs. My feeling is if someone has the funds to pay, they should pay. Inheritance is never guaranteed. Could I use that money? Sure. But, my parents saved, and after dad passed many times mom indicated potential plan to move to AL when she needed it. Of course she did nothing about "clearing" out stuff and when dementia started, NO WAY would she consider moving anywhere because she was "fine, idenpendent and can cook/take care of herself." She wasn't and couldn't.

She is in private pay, a place we chose after viewing a few local to where 2 of us live. Her place is nice and they take relatively good care (my other comment covers recent lapse in checking for UTI, but otherwise, no complaints!) We sold her condo (was in life-estate, so most of the money went to us, but we put it all back in the trust for her care.) Should she need NH in the future (she's 96+ now), my plan is to cover the cost as long as we can before resorting to Medicaid.

THAT is how it should be. Greedy people like those you mentioned, hopefully they'll get what's coming to them (aka not such a nice place to live.) Also, to my understanding, most AL isn't covered by Medicaid. If it is, I wouldn't want to see the places that accept it. Mostly Medicaid would be for those who need skilled nursing care, aka NH. NH isn't for those with just dementia. The kids will likely end up either having to take them in or paying the cost of AL or MC, if the need arises! Karma...
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Sicillian,

My daughter will tell u that private pay and Medicaid recipients are treated no different. But My Mom paid privately for 2 months and shared a room. When she went on Medicaid, I was told they were transferring her to a 4 bed room. The excuse was, her room was being made into a single room. I didn't argue because she was failing and was only in her room to sleep.

I wonder if these people realize that Medicaid doesn't pay for that beautiful AL they could have had. That they will end up sharing a room with a stranger. Like u said, maybe $50 a month for their personal needs. Only 2k to their name. And what will those spoiled kids do, maybe visit every so often.
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at first I would say no, this is not reasonable, and I still think that.

I do wonder if all the requirements are adding a lot of cost to their operation. But even then this is a risk they took on. I guess no one could have predicted this, but why should they pass the cost onto you.

What does the contract you signed have to say about this? Are cost hikes allowed without adequate advance notice?
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I had same issue here in California where the owners of the Senior Care Facility sent a letter on 2/25 to all residents stating that the rent would increase.  For my mother it was increase of 75% (4000.00 - 6900.00 effective 5/1).   Of course this cost increase was ridiculous and I notified my mother that I will need to find her a new place.  Then in March we went into Shelter In Place and have been that way still.   On April 7th, my mother notified me that the owners were still going to raise the rent, but instead of 6900.00 they negotiated to 6000.00 which still did not make any sense.   I automatically wrote the mayor and the rest of the board and notified them of the situation.   They sent the email over to the City Manager and Lawyer.  I was notified that same day with a copy of a Moratorium on Residential Rent Increases for that city.   The order notifies all owners that the tenant will pay the same amount rent that they paid on 3/1 and also the rent stays the same 60 days after the Shelter In Place has been lifted.  So I would check with your city to see if there is Rent Freeze Place in order not only for your state for your particular city. 

I hope this helps.

Mike
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polarbear Apr 2020
Mike - good for you for pushing back
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The memory care where my mother lives has her POA come in for a conference every few months. At that time, a detailed "care plan" is provided, which highlights any changes to the services and level of care that's needed. As time goes by, most seniors will need additional hands on services and the price will rise accordingly.

I'd ask for a copy of the care plan before and after the increase.

My mom's care costs about $ 8,000 a month, and another elder I know was paying $ 14,000 a month per his son, who handled the bills. Elder care is expensive.
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disgustedtoo May 2020
Ditto for my mother (~rate/m.) Rates do vary from one state/region to another. Some are much less, but there is a lower income in those regions. Some are more, esp in higher income areas. Cost of living drives the cost of facility care.

Although it is expensive and out of reach for many, it is less expensive than bringing in 24/7 assistance. If one can and wants to provide in-home care with or without outside help, it certainly can be much less expensive, but many of us are seniors and/or have our own disabilities, or just can't deal with the various conditions the person might have.

I try to factor it out for others. 8k/m works out to about $11/hour, for 24/7 care. Granted most don't need 24 hour "assistance", but it has to be there regardless. Some (admin staff) make more money, the ones who do the "real" work get a lot less money, then there's everything else between (maintenance, facility costs including utilities and insurance, kitchen staff, food, etc.)

What some forget to factor in, IF they can find a less expensive in-home care scenario is you need to factor in all the costs of the residence too - house/apartment/condo, food, utils, etc - if they live in your home, then the actual housing cost isn't factored in unless you spend $ on making space for them.

While there are dangers living in a facility (like now!), including falls, those dangers exist at home as well. Since one would have to use special ways to prevent wandering, there's that concern, as well as utensils, tools, appliances, cleaning products, stairs, etc.

It isn't ideal for those of us who have to use a facility or struggle to provide home care, living in general isn't always ideal either. It is what it is.

I do think a small increase given their tasks are now increased would be "reasonable". OP's original 700/m (changed to 300 later?) would be $23/day. Given that providing meals in a dining area is less work than providing meals room-by-room, and any testing done plus PPEs, this is not too bad.

In my mother's case, I am a bit miffed, because they don't warn me ahead of time regarding extra laundry or supplies. Two months ago it was FOURTEEN (14!) extra loads of laundry and a couple packs of wipes! Really? For a 96 yo who at this point doesn't walk or stand? Not like she's rolling in the mud. She's in briefs but not really incontinent yet, just in case of accidents/can't get help to bathroom in time. Okay, so first month was a surprise for all - turns out to be night-time bed wetting due to UTI. Second time bed wetting started, nurse had it checked, so not too bad. I got the statement for May, and sure enough EIGHT extra loads and several packs of wipes, despite having delivered 3 packs in a month. I questioned it and asked if this is not UTI, then what's the issue. If it is, why no notice and no Rx for me to pick up? It adds up and also messes up the budget I have for mom's money/bills.

Took several days to get a reply, but testing/Rx in order... So, given response previously from the biller, cut off is around mid-month, so I KNOW there will be MANY extra loads because it started before mid-month, was NOT addressed before the end of the month (4/30 to be exact, so there are about 15 days plus a few for treatment to work.) I expect that next statement is going to have multiple laundry loads and maybe more wipes added. THAT should have been addressed after one, maybe two, nighttime incidences of bed-wetting. The NURSE knows this and stated it to me before! THAT annoys me - I could understand a slight increase if their duties have to be increased, but THIS should have been managed/addressed.
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H+++ no.
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OP replied to a response on the 7th saying an error was made in the amount of $400, the $300 was increase in care.
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I just learned my Mom's Assisted Living raised her monthly rate from $3225 to $4615 and have already taken the April auto pay! I learned this from checking her bank balances. This is a 43 percent raise, on top of the 7 percent raise in October 2019. I called the facility and was advised a letter had gone out 1/31/20 about the rate change. I did not receive the letter or I would have had time to address it before rate change took place. I was told the "real" rate for her room is $6,000, that she was grandfathered in at $3,000 three years ago, and the intention was always to gradually raise her rate to the $6,000. This is absolute B.S. and hopefully passes muster as a crime of price gouging during a National Emergency. I am setting up a conference call ASAP with Assisted Living management. If they do not back down, I will pursue each and every suggestion listed in this forum, starting with a complaint to the State Attorney General and including Twitter messages to capture media attention. I found this forum while researching how to combat this outrageous action by her Assisted Living. I am now your No. 1 fan! Thank you for whatever additional advice anyone cares to offer and best of luck to the others facing similar situations.
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