Imagine this: your mom has just suffered a stroke. The hospital is preparing for discharge, and the social worker hands you a list of nursing homes with available beds. Your heart sinks as you remember a news story about poor conditions at a local facility. You feel trapped, helpless, and out of options.
But what if you did have a choice?
The Alternative Most Families Never Hear About
A recent investigative report from WHEC News in Upstate New York highlighted a heartbreaking story that's all too common: a family was told they had "no choice" but to place their Loved One in a nursing home with documented care issues. What they weren't told is that a program existed that could have helped their family member receive care at home instead.
That program, called the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Waiver in New York, is part of a nationwide initiative called Money Follows the Person, active in most states. Yet many healthcare providers, discharge planners, and families have never heard of it.
Why This Matters to Your Loved One Right Now
The statistics are sobering:
- Approximately 70% of people age 65 and older will need some type of long-term care during their lifetime (SingleCare, 2025)
- The average annual cost for a private room in a nursing home is over $108,000 (Morningstar, 2023)
- A Washington Post analysis found that fewer than 10% of Americans aged 85 and older live in nursing homes, showing that most seniors strongly prefer alternative arrangements (Washington Post, 2023)
When a health crisis hits your Loved One, knowing your options as the caregiver can mean the difference between recovering in a familiar environment or facing a difficult transition to institutional care.
What These Programs Actually Provide
Medicaid waiver programs, often called "Money Follows the Person" programs, provide up to 365 days of support to help people either transition out of a nursing home back into a community setting, or avoid being placed in one in the first place.
The assistance typically includes:
- Personal care assistance (help with bathing, dressing, and similar daily tasks)
- Home health services
- Home modifications for safety, like grab bars and ramps
- Transition services, including security deposits and moving expenses
- Case management
Perhaps most importantly, these programs allow your Loved One to recover in familiar surroundings, which isn't just about comfort. Research consistently shows that familiar environments can support better health outcomes and emotional wellbeing during recovery.
How This Could Play Out: An Illustrative Story
Consider a family whose father had a severe fall requiring hospitalization. When discharge planning began, the hospital social worker presented only nursing home options, explaining they were "the only choice" given his care needs.
But the daughter had recently learned about her state's Money Follows the Person program. She advocated for her father, requested an assessment, and was able to bring him home with support services. Today, he has regained much of his independence and continues to live at home, surrounded by neighbors and friends who have known him for decades.
Taking Action: What You Can Do Today
- Research before crisis hits. Find out if your state has a Money Follows the Person program or a Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver. Most states do.
- Contact your Area Agency on Aging. These local organizations can connect you with resources specific to your community, or start with a simple search.
- Speak up during discharge planning. If you're told nursing home placement is "the only option," question that assumption and ask for an assessment for home-based care programs.
When it comes to caring for a Loved One during a vulnerable time, knowledge is power. Don't let a lack of information limit your family's choices at the moment options matter most.
If your family is weighing Assisted Living or Memory Care against options like this, Petunia can help you understand what's actually right for your Loved One before you commit to either path.