STICKER SHOCK
As you know, I’ve been looking at alternatives to the facility I’ve chosen for mom to enter when a spot became available. My cousin suggested the local veterans home as a possibility I might consider. I just sent this message to my siblings after speaking with the admissions coordinator from the Iowa Veterans Home:
Well, just spoke with the admissions coordinator at the Iowa Veterans Home. Mom would qualify. No problem. They currently have openings, but is more nursing home setting. I’ll take a tour after silly season since I can only get away on Saturdays.
Their memory care is, hold on to your hats, $16,000/month-TWICE what Glenwood costs. While yes, after her assets are used up to $2000 remaining (bank account and from property sale), she would qualify for Medicaid, her funds would give her half the time in a less comfortable (I’m assuming as the coordinator said it was a nursing home setting) accommodation setting.
So, for now, mom and I hold steady at Campbell Haus.
Nursing home style memory care for twice the cost of a much nicer place.
Our country does so very many things poorly, but I hadn’t fully realized how poorly we care for our elders until I became a caregiver for my mom.
They just don’t know what they poked when they poked me.
I aim to misbehave.


OUCH! I bet that stings.. I would be livid too!