How do I apply for Medicaid and how do I get approved to be my wifes legal representative if she can't sign her name to documents?

Medicaid is not too fussy about who signs the application. Your state department of health should have the form, as should the nursing home.  A spouse is usually turned to for medical concerns if someone cannot communicate. But you may need to become your wife's guardian to access her finances. The local probate or surrogate's court and the state bar should have a list of guardianship attorneys. If you would like to discuss Medicaid planning, including how to preserve your income and some assets, you can find an elder lawyer near you on the website of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (www.naela.org).