Why You Should Be Thinking
Ahead About the Costs of Alzheimer’s Care
We
never want to think of ourselves or a loved one being diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease. However, the fact is that over
5 million Americans are living with this
devastating illness. That means 5 million individuals and families
are looking for ways to pay for care and not really knowing where to
start. If you are one of them, here are some key care facts that can
help you better prepare for the costs of care and give yourself and
loved ones some peace of mind.
How
Planning Ahead Can Help
If
you are caught off guard by the costs of Alzheimer’s care, it can be
difficult to find ways to pay. Planning
for long-term care is the most effective way to
make sure your care will be covered, and it’s best to begin
planning as soon as possible. This way, you can check in with health
insurance to see what kind of care may be available and look into
other ways to cover the costs. You may want to talk to a family
member or loved one to see if they would be willing to provide the
care you would need in the future. Making plans ahead of time is
especially important for those who are at
risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia but have not
been diagnosed yet.
What
to Expect in Terms of Care
Specialty
care for those with Alzheimer’s, also known as memory
care, can be very different from other forms of
long-term care. First of all, this kind of specialized care tends to
be more expensive but it also offers more extensive, comprehensive
care that can benefit Alzheimer’s patients. You should do your own
research to see if there are memory care options in your area and if
they are a good fit. Aside from memory care, there are also other
common options for Alzheimer’s care. In the early stages, in-home
care may be the best option and can offer
benefits to patients. In the later stages,
however, a skilled nursing home or assisted living home is likely to
be needed, so be prepared for the costs
of care. Even adult daycare can run over
$18,000 a year, which can be a significant percentage of retirement
or regular income.
Ways
to Find Affordable Help
Despite
the demands of Alzheimer’s care, there are ways to save
on care without sacrificing compassion and
quality. You can try reaching out to local Alzheimer’s
organizations for suggestions for affordable memory care and assisted
living in your area. If possible, providing care at home is the most
affordable form of long-term care. Just be sure that the home is set
up for a person with Alzheimer’s, with proper safety and security
features in place to prevent injuries and wandering. You may also
need to look for in-home healthcare assistants to make life a little
more manageable. To make home care more
affordable, try sticking to hiring part-time
help or look to local agencies to find the best rates on the best
in-home Alzheimer’s care.
How
to Pay for Care and Costs
Long-term
care costs can really add up, especially when that care is for
Alzheimer’s. If you can plan ahead, you will have many more options
to cover the costs of care. Long-term care insurance may be a good
option if you or a loved one is at risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s;
if you look into it early enough, you are likely to pay lower monthly
premiums. Many people end up using
other options, such as adjusting their savings
plans or using their home for long-term care. Government benefits,
such as Medicaid and VA benefits, may pay for some level of care, but
remember that Medicare does not offer any long-term care coverage.
Alzheimer’s
is a serious condition that requires serious, compassionate care. You
can make sure that you or your loved ones receive the care necessary
to maintain quality of life by planning ahead to pay for the costs of
care. It’s a small step that can make a major difference during in
the difficult days that are ahead.
Photo
Credit: Pixabay
Author
June is the co-creator of Rise Up for Caregivers, which offers support for family members and friends who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. She is author of the upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Caregiving: A Daily Companion for New Senior Caregivers.
