Medical Medicaid for Nursing Homes - Any advice?

I would contact someone with real knowledge in your area. Look to see if you have a local Area Agency on Aging or Aging Resources service in your parents area. They would have factual and current info for you.

But I would say no - there isn't any way for them to gift money, due to the Medicade lookback period. That period is 60 months* (5 years). Meaning they can 'look back' and any gifts, asset transfers, etc. can be recovered and given to Medicade.
* This can vary by state! So do check to see what is pertinent to your exact location.

Do they own their home? That is also an asset that can be claimed by Medicade.

Here is a link to the American Council on Aging that has more info. You can see what you can spend their money down on - as some things are allowed. But again - I would 100% contact a local agency that will get you the actual facts for your area and even maybe handle this with a lawyer that has knowledge in elder laws to make sure you are not going to get penalized. America Council on Aging

That that’s a great idea. Tearisci a good social worker should be able to answer all those questions for you. I know when my aunt went into a nursing home, someone walked their oldest through the entire process. 

I also can’t say enough good things about the Office of the Aging. They are in every state. Tons of great info and help. 

Can use the money to prepay a month at the nursing home, can prepay funeral expenses, get dentures or glasses or hearing aides. I always recommend a really good recliner that power lifts if that’s appropriate. Nursing homes never have enough recliners for people to sit in.

This won’t help much with a spend down but I’ll put in a plug for Buck and Buck. If you have an elderly family member with swollen feet having trouble finding shoes, this is your place! They also have a bunch of other adaptive clothing and items for people who need a little help with mobility or endurance.
www.buckandbuck.com/

They can use it to purchase things they will need in the nursing home -- a tv, recliner, etc. 

When my mother moved to LTC, I went ahead and applied for Medicaid for her. She had enough funds for about 3 months care. Then when she ran out of $$$, Medicaid picked up the fees immediately. She did own her home. She had passed by the time it finally sold. Reimbursed Medicaid from the proceeds. Best of luck in the transition.

Are doctors stating they both should go into a nursing home? I ask this because we ran into an issue with this with my grandparents.

Please keep in mind, I am in Texas so I am not sure about other states. My Grandfather could only be released to go to a nursing home and we could get him in through Medicaid. My Grandmother, who said they would never live apart was going to go in with him. But we had a meeting with the Social Workers and Medicaid staff at the nursing home to get the ins and outs of both going in. Medicaid would not cover her care because she was not deemed to have a reason to go other than she could no longer care for him at home. We were told for her to come in, it would be $6000 a month. When I told her to get out her checkbook, she quickly decided she would not go with him.

It may be something else to look into.

I would contact a local social worker and they should be able to give some guidance. Every state is different, so what applies for my state may not apply for the state that your parents live in. For example, here are the requirements for California, the state where my mother lives. www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/DoYouQualifyForMedi-Cal.aspx As of January 1, 2024, they no longer look at assets to determine eligibility. That is not the norm though.

Apply immediately as it may take. Few months to get qualified through your state. The facility will have someone in the office who can help with the paperwork. There is ALOT of paperwork. Best wishes to you and your family

Great timing, my neighbor has taken over the responsibility of her sister. She is in the process of changing the deed of sister's home so she owns it. I haven't looked it up, won't that be noticed during a "look back"?

I'm going to send these links to her and keep suggesting expert help- not just helpful men with opinions at her church.

Best wishes, Tearisci, I know first hand Parent care is tough.

When we went through this process with my dad, the funeral home included those charges on their quote. They also included an allotment for flowers. They were very knowledgeable about what would be eligible for spend down on his account.