Her 94-Year-Old Mother Is Running Out of Money for Assisted Living, and Her Sister Refuses to Apply for Medicaid Because She’s Afraid the Government Will Take a Mobile Home

A woman’s 94-year-old mother lives in an assisted living facility in another state, near the woman’s sister and nieces, who visit and help every day. Now her mother’s money is nearly gone, and nobody in the family can afford to cover the cost of her care.

The obvious next step would be applying for Medicaid. But her sister refuses, afraid the government could come after a mobile home their mother sold years ago to a niece through a handshake deal with almost no paperwork.

Mother in Assisted Living at 94

Her mother moved into assisted living about two years ago. At 94, she needs daily care and support.

Assisted living isn’t cheap. Depending on the location and level of care, it can easily cost several thousand dollars a month.

That kind of expense can drain savings quickly. Even families who planned ahead can find themselves running short.

Sister and Nieces Providing Daily Support

Her sister and nieces live close to the facility. They check in every day and help manage her mother’s needs.

The woman is grateful for everything they do. Daily visits and care coordination take time and energy.

She lives across the country and can’t help in the same way. That distance makes it harder for her to stay involved.

Savings Nearly Gone

Her mother’s money is running out. The family is trying to figure out how to keep paying for her care.

No one in the family has the financial resources to step in. Covering assisted living costs out of pocket isn’t an option for any of them.

That has left them searching for solutions. Without help, her mother may not be able to stay where she is.

Late Sister Who Controlled the Finances

Before her mother moved into assisted living, another sister cared for her. That sister also managed her mother’s money.

She was secretive about the finances and didn’t share many details. Even when family members asked questions, she didn’t provide clear answers.

She passed away earlier this year. Since then, the rest of the family has realized how few records she kept.

Mobile Home Sold on a Handshake

Around 2018 or 2019, her mother agreed to sell her mobile home to one of her granddaughters. The deal was made verbally.

The home was built in the mid to late 1970s. The family knew about the arrangement, but there was little documentation.

Her niece supposedly made payments directly to her grandmother for a while. Then her grandmother reportedly told her she no longer needed to pay.

Payments Without Records

Her late sister disagreed with that decision. She refused to provide a bill of sale, which delayed transferring ownership.

After her death, the title was finally put in the niece’s name. Still, there are few records showing how much was paid or when.

That lack of paperwork has made things harder. The woman has asked for documentation, but her sister and niece haven’t provided it.

Money Given for a Fence

There’s another concern. Her mother reportedly gave money to the late sister to build a fence on her property.

That money hasn’t been repaid. The late sister’s husband is struggling financially and can’t pay anything back.

Questions about past gifts and transfers can matter when applying for long-term care assistance. Agencies often review financial records from previous years.

Medicaid and Fear of Losing a Home

Her sister has firmly refused to consider Medicaid. She’s afraid the program could try to recover the mobile home where her daughter and grandchildren now live.

The woman wants to know if there’s a way to apply for Medicaid while protecting her niece’s home. Many families in similar situations speak with an elder law attorney, who can explain how past transfers might affect eligibility.

For now, the family is stuck between protecting a home and finding a way to pay for her mother’s care. She’s left trying to find an option that keeps her mother safe without putting her niece’s family at risk.

Featured on Cents + Purpose:

• 20-Year-Old Says His Mom Is Pressuring Him to Co-Sign a $400K Mortgage His Parents Couldn’t Get Approved for and He Feels Trapped
• A Woman at the Dollar Store Came Up Fifty Cents Short, Told the Cashier in a Completely Flat Tone Like It Was Their Problem to Solve, and Held Up the Entire Line Until She Was Told No and Had to Put Back Her Nail Polish