An Alzheimer care home may be indicated when you can no longer care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease at home. When a person needs around-the-clock care, if they are incontinent, exhibit aggressive behavior, or wander a lot, endangering their own safety, it may be time to find an Alzheimer care home for the person.

Alzheimer’s disease takes a devastating toll on caregivers, resulting in substantial emotional, financial and physical difficulties. The highest percentage of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers, with nearly half of that to older adults with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth-leading cause of death among those age 65 and older. It also is a leading cause of disability and poor health. Today, an estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s and the numbers are increasing at a rapid rate. An estimated 5.5 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s dementia. According to Alzheimer’s Organization in 2018, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer’s will total an estimated $277 billion, with a large part of that being out-of-pocket spending by families and individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Choosing an Alzheimer care home is a big decision and it isn’t easy knowing where to start. One residential care option may be a continuing care community, which could be a home, apartment, or room in a retirement community where people with Alzheimer’s can live and receive care. An Alzheimer care home of this type may involve the person moving from one level of care to another, depending on their specific needs, whether they are relatively independent, or need more supervised care.

Some Alzheimer care home assisted living facilities have special units with trained staff for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The family or individual usually is responsible for paying for these costs, including paying extra for special care.

A group Alzheimer care home is a facility in which several people who are unable to care for themselves, with one or more staff members skilled in Alzheimer’s care lives. The family or individual pays the costs in this kind of Alzheimer care home. An Alzheimer care home of this type may not be inspected or regulated, but may still provide good care.

Nursing facilities can also be an option for an Alzheimer care home. They have dedicated care units, usually located in separate sections of the facility, with staff members who have special training to care for people with Alzheimer’s. In many cases, you will have to pay for nursing home care. In addition to being self-pay facilities, many nursing homes accept Medicaid as payment. Some long-term care insurance may cover some of the costs.

The benefits of an Alzheimer care home for yourself or a family member are many and varied. If you come to the decision of finding an appropriate facility, you will find many resources for helping to select the proper place. Talk with a social worker, the doctor of the person with Alzheimer’s, family members, and friends about facilities in your area. Check resources, such as Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare, and the Joint Commission’s Quality Check®. Schedule appointments to meet with two or three facilities, and plan to make several visits at different times of the day and evening. Feel free to ask pertinent questions about the types of care they provide and any other concerns you have. Fnd out if long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare will pay for any of the costs.

An Alzheimer care home provides professional care to senior adults dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other forms of chronic memory impairment. Though the specific forms of elder dementia may differ, the functional needs of senior adults living with these conditions are essentially the same. Many families pay for the cost of care out-of-pocket. Medicare is usually only for limited periods of time following a specific medical event. Medicaid does offer long-term coverage, but eligibility varies from state to state. Check with your state medical services agency to learn more. Also, some communities may not accept Medicaid, which can limit a family’s options. For many, long-term care insurance offers a good way to ensure continuity of care at the memory care facility of choice. The sooner you discuss and plan for an Alzheimer care home, the better.

Clover Care Home in Shawnee provides a comprehensive continuum of care and are committed to providing the best care that your loved one needs to continue living a dignified and respectful life. We value their physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual needs. Call today to schedule a visit Clover Care Home 913-991-2605.