Special needs care management / legal advocate in Vancouver, WA?
March 26, 2017 11:47 PM Subscribe
How do we find someone to help my mother manage the financial, legal, and day-to-day needs of her younger sister (my aunt) with special needs now that my grandparents are gone?
My mother has stepped in to take care of her 50-year-old disabled sister for the last several years since my grandparents passed away. Formally my mother is the trustee of my aunt's small special needs trust and the representative payee for her SSI benefits - but it's been difficult to figure out what other legal structures should be in place, and what other federal, state, county, and local resources are available. For example, I suspect my aunt might be eligible for basic food assistance and for dental and vision coverage through Apple Health but we don't know where to start with figuring out the eligibility and application process, or what other programs we may not know about.
Ideally we would be able to hire an expert to help navigate this on a semi-continuing basis, ensuring that my aunt has access to all the possible resources to continue living as independently as she can manage, and additionally help arrange for my aunt's care in case something should happen to my mother.
I have an idea that this is somewhere in the realm of case work / care management but I'm not sure how you find folks with this expertise.
My mother has stepped in to take care of her 50-year-old disabled sister for the last several years since my grandparents passed away. Formally my mother is the trustee of my aunt's small special needs trust and the representative payee for her SSI benefits - but it's been difficult to figure out what other legal structures should be in place, and what other federal, state, county, and local resources are available. For example, I suspect my aunt might be eligible for basic food assistance and for dental and vision coverage through Apple Health but we don't know where to start with figuring out the eligibility and application process, or what other programs we may not know about.
Ideally we would be able to hire an expert to help navigate this on a semi-continuing basis, ensuring that my aunt has access to all the possible resources to continue living as independently as she can manage, and additionally help arrange for my aunt's care in case something should happen to my mother.
I have an idea that this is somewhere in the realm of case work / care management but I'm not sure how you find folks with this expertise.
You might try the Department of Aging and Disability Services (here is the website for your area).
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:05 AM on March 27, 2017
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:05 AM on March 27, 2017
A social worker who is familiar with local/state programs would be a good place to start and can help you identify needs and resources. Your aunt's doctors' office may be able to refer you to one.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 6:23 AM on March 27, 2017
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 6:23 AM on March 27, 2017
You guys should get hooked in with the state Developmental Disabilities Administration if you are not already! They provide case management, which sounds like what you need.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:52 PM on March 27, 2017
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:52 PM on March 27, 2017
« Older What should I do in Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls... | Calming, educational but fun things to watch with... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by yclipse at 2:01 AM on March 27, 2017 [1 favorite]