Do people with dementia have to sell their home to pay for thier care as he has just paid off his mortgage?

he has not yet been officially diagnosed but they are 99% sure that it is dementia

I live here in Michigan and I was told that the government cannot take a senior's home, nor their car. I helped my elderly aunt and uncle (who both suffered from dementia) continue to live in their home for an additional five years before they had to be placed in a nursing home setting. Even then, they still retained their home (the car was sold). If I remember right, they could only have a max of $2,000 in their bank account in order to apply for Medicaid. Medicaid (state funding) is what paid for their short lives in a nursing home. You should apply for Medicaid NOW.

If he needs care and no-one else can support him and government aid is not sufficient then he needs to take care of his health.

Sadly yes.

It seems that way. Lifes a ***** and then you die...that's unless the state pays for your care.

Does it pay to own your own home when others who don't own property get most their care paid for.

No - he can put his home into an escrow position and after a set period of time - varies with states, usually between 3 and 5 years - if he is still alive, the home is secure and can be passed on to heirs and is secure from seizure or being included in accounting assets when applying to nursing homes, etc.

But there is a waiting period. We did it with my mother and saved thousands - and were still able to get her into a good nursing home.

In order to qualify for government programs he would have to spend down, so yes. I've also been told that dementia is not considered a disability for elderly people, it's considered an old age problem. You could look into setting up a Special Needs Trust, which could possibly allow him to keep his home and qualify for government benefits. Hopefully he won't burn down the house!

I am not sure, but if the person you are referring to has no one who can offer him this care he needs, then I think it is usual that their property be sold to fund care.

He should be able to get on disability and get a medical card.I'm sure his doctor will help him get him signed up.At least try.And it usually takes about 3 tries to get on it so don't stop if he gets turned down the first time.

It depends on if he has what is called convelescent insurance-what kind of military benefits he has if he was military-what kind of retirement benefits from work he is eligible for. My neighbors lived in their home for many many years. They were married for 60 years -they had no idea he had a rare form of dementia-he tried to kill her one night and himself. It was bloody and scary. She refuses to let him come home even when the docs say he is fine with meds. I don't blame her. She is still living in their home. He had great military benefits and savings. Check to see what all he has available. My friends step-dad had to sell everything to stay in a home. Sad, you work your whole life to have something for your kids and it still ends up in the doc's hands in the end anyway.

Yes and no. We lost my grandmother's house this way because we didn't sign it over to my mom in time. They look back 3-5 years at financial records when it's time to put someone in an assisted living facility. If we had signed the house over to my mom and waited 3-5 years we would have saved the house. We didn't because it all happened so suddenly so we had to sell the house and the nursing home took all the money (400K).

it is the system at present unfortunatly.
it would not hurt to ask for profesional advice though.
hope things go well

Yes. My mam is in the same situation. Her house has just been sold. Pity she did not sign it over before you started other procedings. Now you will need a power of attourny just to pay her bills. He can give 拢3000 to each of his children from the sale of his house. That is it. Sorry, but my Mam only bought the house to leave to us. and there it was gone, but at least she has the care she deserves

try NHFA - they give free advice on financing care for elderly

Different states have different laws. You have to spend most of your money before you are entitled for government help. If the house is paid off and in his name, and he is the one who needs the care, it might indeed have to be sold, or the government may just put a lien on it. It doesn't matter what the diagnosis is.
My dad has Alzheimer's and we are struggling with that very issue. Every penny my parents saved up to enjoy their retirement is going for his care ($9k/month); when they are out of money the state will take over, but that leaves my mom with nothing to live on. It totally sucks.
Get an elder care lawyer to help you.