Alzheimer's Care and Dementia Care

What is Alzheimer's Care?

As the symptoms of Alzheimer’s progress, the person becomes more emotionally fragile. At first, there may be the sense of grief and dread that accompanies the awareness of having a progressive terminal illness. During this early stage of the disease, caregivers can promote the patient’s sense of well being by providing emotional support and by helping to maintain familiar activities and social contacts. Eventually though, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is forgotten and the ability to be rational fades. Logical thinking can no longer be used to help alleviate fear and confusion. As problems with memory and judgment increase, the patient becomes more vulnerable to accidents and injuries. Problem behaviors develop that place the person at increased risk of getting lost or getting hurt. Caregivers must hone communication skills and make changes to the home environment in anticipation of the problems of mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Following are some tips for promoting physical safety and emotional comfort.

For many caregivers, the time will come when they are no longer able to take care of their loved one at home. At this point the person with Alzheimer's disease will have to move to a place where care is available around the clock. There are two types of residential care: assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.

Criteria for a Good Alzheimer’s Care Facility

Some facilities claim to specialize in treating the elder with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, but not all of them excel in this kind of care. Those that do excel tend to be very expensive. If you cannot afford such care, look for a facility where you and others can visit frequently and assist with your loved one’s needs. Ideally you’ll find a facility where the following criteria are met:

• Caregivers help patients get ample movement. If the patient can move on their own, caregivers help the person to get out of bed. Otherwise, caregivers move the person within their bed and around the facility, particularly outside.
• Caregivers appear to truly enjoy what they are doing. Many cultures have a tradition of gracefully and generously caring for elders. Look for facilities where many of the caregivers are from cultures that treat elders with love and respect. Also consider facilities supported by religious organizations because the high proportion of volunteers may ensure more willing caregiving.
• Care is culturally and linguistically specific. It is best to have caregivers who interact with the patient in the patient’s own language. Many patients revert to their native language in the later stages of Alzheimer's, and caregivers must adjust accordingly. Check for cultural sensitivity in how personnel care for patients.
• Patients with dementia live together. Dementia patients should be cared for together with other patients in a group setting. Studies have shown that the social aspects of a group are beneficial to patients with Alzheimer's or other dementias.

Alzheimer's Care and Dementia Care Costs

The yearly cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer's depends on the stage of the disease.$18,400 for someone with mild symptoms, $30,100 for moderate symptoms, and $36,132 for severe symptoms.

In the US 7 out of 10 people with Alzheimer's live at home where 75% of costs are absorbed by the family. The remaining 25% of care costs cost an average $19,000 a year.

The average cost of putting an Alzheimer's patient in a nursing home in the US is $42,000 a year. However in some areas those costs can be at least $70,000

Medicare costs for beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease were $91 billion in 2005. Medicare costs are expected to increase by 75% to $160 billion in 2010.

Medicaid expenditures on residential dementia care were $21 billion in 2005. These cost are estimated to rise by 14% to $24 billion in 2010.