Need advice: Older brother in a weird situation

I'll try to keep this short. My 60 yo brother lives in Florida at his ex girlfriend's house north of Tampa. A little over a year ago he had a massive heart attack and ended up having triple bypass surgery. Scott has limited mental capacity for many things. He was in and out of foster homes and juvenile centers growing up and essentially had a very traumatic childhood. He was the proverbial unwanted first child.

He cannot work due to his limited abilities both physical and mental. He is on government assistance and has been for quite a while. My mother, in her later years, tried to make up for lost time by seeing to his needs but she passed three years ago. Theresa, his ex, has been very gracious in stepping in and helping by giving him a place to live, looking out for him, and watching that he doesn't get scammed. She saved his life by getting him to go to the hospital when he had his heart attack. (It happened at the hospital. She made him go because of the complaints he was making).

He has become very belligerent and manic. He treats her terribly, verbally abusing her at random. He has meds for his emotional condition but they don't seem to be working.

Since his heart attack I talk to him every Monday evening to check in on him and to let him know I'm here for him. But, I'm in Vermont so there's not a lot I can do to help him.

I really believe he needs to be in an assisted living facility. Someplace where he has his own room, but there are people nearby to check his meds, his health, and for his needs.

I have been told that should he move from Theresa's home he would lose his benefits. I don't understand the reason for this, but it has something to do with changing places once again. Is this a thing?

Any of you Florida people have a governmental department I could call and see what we can do to help him? 

I just talked to him last night and all seemed well. Now he's messaging me not to call anymore and wants nothing to do with me.

I think he's scared. I think he feels abandoned. I think he can't comprehend his condition. I think he fears dying. It's breaking my heart. He's always been the innocent one. He deserves better.

What would GRM do?

My wife is a Medicaid expert so I asked her if she could weigh in.  The first thing she wants me to tell you is that Medicaid is administered by the states and she knows Kentucky Medicaid backwards and forwards but nothing about Florida Medicaid.  That out of the way, there are some generic things that she offered.

The only thing that she's aware of that would cause an interruption of benefits would be if he moved out of state because, being a state-run program, he'd have to re-apply in the new place.  But that may be a Florida-specific thing.

Some states' Medicaid programs cover assisted living, others do not.  In KY, we do not, but we have something called a Home and Community Based Living waiver that might cover some of those expenses.  You might check to see if Florida has that option.

If he is mentally handicapped, there may be a program that would provide for a personal care home - in KY we call it the "state supplemental" but Florida is probably different. 

Her advice was to reach out to whatever department administers Medicaid in Florida or to find someone who specializes in Elder Law in FL, because they are often the most familiar with navigating Medicaid.  The trick, of course, is that you'll need him to give you permission to apply on his behalf or get a court to appoint you as a guardian of some sort.

My SWIMBO works for an NGO and sometimes takes shifts on the 211 line. 211 is literally for this type of situation.

I need help, but I don't know who to ask. Maybe they can get you the types of help you need. Maybe they can point you where you need to go.

You may need to see if there's a fl number you can call as dialing 211 will just get you to your local call centre.

All good suggestions.

I know he gets Social Security as well. Would that be effected by moves?

Floridian here. Brother of two mentally disabled sisters, and POA for both. 
there is a Medicaid Waiver that is applied to housing. Depending on situations and choices, it covers up to $1,600 a month toward assisted living. 
shoot me a IM. I'd be happy to help how I can. 

DrBoost said:

Floridian here. Brother of two mentally disabled sisters, and POA for both. 
there is a Medicaid Waiver that is applied to housing. Depending on situations and choices, it covers up to $1,600 a month toward assisted living. 
shoot me a IM. I'd be happy to help how I can. 

As soon as I get my thoughts together I will. Thank you.

Some other resources in Florida that might be helpful, his Medicaid eligibility and government services will be managed through the Florida Department of Children and Families. 

http://www.myflfamilies.com/

WHO_TO_CONTACT_BROCHURE.pdf

Elder Helpine (800) 963-5337