Help to Leave the Nursing Home

It turns out you can go home again with a little help.

Washing the dishes is not a tedious task for Maureen Geeson. It’s a chore she’s happy to do on her own in her own apartment after spending years in a nursing home.

’Most of the time, I would stay in my room. I was so depressed,’ said Geeson.

Severe osteoporosis left Geeson with broken bones and in need of constant care. However, after five years of healing in the nursing home she wanted her independence back. The Area Agency on Aging 1-B stepped in to help.

’This program provides an option for people who need care, but want to receive it in a different setting. It allows people to leave or transition from a nursing home setting back into the community,’ said Tina Abbate Marzolf with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B.

It’s called Nursing Facility Transition Services for nursing home residents on Medicaid who want to return to their home, move in with family or find an apartment, and then it provides them with ongoing support.

The program costs Medicaid about $50 a day while nursing home care costs as much as $200 a day. Last year, the savings in Michigan added up to $20-million.

’We’re primarily saving the state in Medicaid dollars because those Medicaid dollars are being used in the community as opposed to nursing home care. Nursing home care is very, very critical care. It’s very important care, but it’s very expensive,’ Marzolf said.

Geeson will tell you the improvement to her quality of life is priceless.

’It’s great because I knew I was able to do more, I mean, do more for myself,’ Geeson said.

’Being empowered with the resources to be able to transition out does give people a great sense of well being and also a great sense of independence,’ said Marzolf.

About the Nursing Facility Transition (NTF) Program

The program helps eligible residents of nursing homes transition to a living situation that offers more independence. Examples include living in one’s own home or apartment, moving in with family members or relocating to an assisted living or an adult foster care facility.

This program is available for nursing facility residents who are eligible for Medicaid. For more information, call the Area Agency on Aging 1-B Information and Assistance Line at (800) 852-7795 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B serves Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saint Clair and Washtenaw counties.