There's no money (only a monthly SS check). She's been in the assisted living residence for only 3 weeks. She wandered away from her home last month, so we had to place her there. We hired part-time care for her during the day before she walked away. The balance of her new housing bill is coming out of pocket for my sister and me. Getting benefits for VA Aid & Attendance for veteran's survivors is going to take a long time! We cannot afford to do this long term.
I went to a seminar about this aid and the two lawyers BOTH said "it doesn't matter that she remarried" After her husband passed away and I put her in a retirement home, the manager assured me that he had people or a person getting it in same circumstances. Not so. I was disgusted and depressed for weeks! We were really depending on that. I help my mom with $300. or so every month. When her savings is gone we will have to turn to Medicaid as well.
If she wasn't settled in there and everyone aware of her needs, I wouldn't have been able to keep her there. I had to rent a medicine machine that she couldn't manipulate and that tells her when it's time for meds.
By the way, you and your sister should NOT be footing the bill for your Aunt's care. If your Aunt has limited income, get her approved for Medicaid... Medicaid will help with the cost of a nursing home. Otherwise, you and your sister will be wiping out your own savings and have nothing left for your own care.
See if your Aunt could qualify for Medicaid, which would be able to help pay for nursing home care.