An 80-year-old male patient with dementia requires long-term care placement. To which funding agency does the patient apply after "spending down" to qualify?

The appropriate funding agency for the patient to apply to after "spending down" is Medicaid. This is because Medicaid assists individuals with limited income, particularly elderly patients who require long-term care services, including nursing home placements.

"Spending down" refers to the process of reducing one's assets and income to meet the financial eligibility requirements for Medicaid, which has specific thresholds for qualification. Once the patient qualifies through this process, Medicaid will cover the costs associated with long-term care, which is especially pertinent given the patient's age and dementia diagnosis.

Medicare, while it covers a variety of healthcare services for older adults, primarily focuses on acute care and does not cover long-term custodial care. Private insurance typically requires a premium payment and may not offer comprehensive coverage specifically for long-term care. Social Security provides financial assistance to those unable to work due to disability or retirement but is not a direct source of funding for long-term care. Hence, Medicaid is the correct avenue for this 80-year-old male patient seeking long-term care funding after meeting the eligibility requirements.