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I probably shouldn't have mentioned Medicaid in my OP. She's not on Medicaid, she's on Medicare now that she's 70. Not sure she'll be on state Medicaid in the future. I'm not sure what nursing home costs will run above what Medicare will pay and she has KY Retirement and SS to at least cover some of those costs.

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If she goes to a NH for custodial/residential care, she will be on Medicaid. Medicare does not pay for residential care. It only pays for short-term stays in “Skilled Nursing Facilities” for people who need more care than home health to recover enough to be able to return to their prior state of health or their prior living situation (that is a simplified and not 100% accurate description of SNF care but good enough for this discussion). Medicaid is the program which pays for people to live in nursing homes. It is a special program administered by Medicaid. Typically the nursing home will receive payment from Medicaid and they will also be the payee of your mother’s SS check to cover the costs not covered by Medicaid.

The fact that your mother has SS and a railroad pension may make this more complicated because she has more income than many people entering into NH care. Amplifies your need for Elder Care attorney.

You can also make an appointment to speak with the intake/admissions person at a NH you are interested in amd they will be able to give you guidance as well about what to expect during the process because they have to deal with it every day.