Albuquerque Alzheimer’s Care

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that touches the lives of thousands of people in New Mexico. There are over 5 million people in the United States who are dealing with this disease on a day to day basis. That’s not great news, but there are more resources now than ever before to help families, physicians, caregivers, and patients cope with the condition.

Albuquerque offers a chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The association is a great resource for those that are dealing with the emotional and financial aspects of Alzheimer’s. Having a great support network is important for the well-being of all those dealing with this all too common condition.

New Mexico Alzheimer’s Facts

In 2015, 10% of adults over 65 in New Mexico had Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2015, there were 36,000 seniors age 65 and older that had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2015, a total of 106,000 caregivers contributed care they were not paid for.

Alzheimer’s Care Options

Albuquerque Alzheimer’s care is offered on many different levels depending on the degree of impairment the patient is suffering from. Adult day care programs are a good option for those that have children or other relatives to stay with them at night but need some extra help during the day so they can attend to other jobs. Day care programs cost substantially less than a full 24-hour care community, so some families choose to use this option as long as they can.

Supervision is one of the most important aspects of Alzheimer’s care. Those suffering are more likely to injure themselves by wandering off into unfamiliar surroundings. Help with dressing, bathing, and meals is necessary as well. A full service memory care facility offers 24 hour care that meets the patient’s full needs.

Calculating The Cost Of Alzheimer’s Care

The cost of Alzheimer’s care is very high due to how much is required. As mentioned, those that can get by with adult day care services can get a better deal but often as Alzheimer’s progresses so does the level of care required. At some point the need for care becomes too great to achieve at home. SeniorAdvisor can help you sort through the many care options available.

The national median monthly cost for nursing home care in 2015 was $6,692 for a shared room and $7,604 for a private room, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

The average annual cost of full service nursing care in New Mexico is $74,643 for a semi-private room and $85,410 for a private room. Adult day care programs averaged $25,618 per year in New Mexico.

Payment Options For Albuquerque Alzheimer’s Care

Many families choose to offer some care themselves to cut costs and keep their loved one at home as long as possible. This can take a large emotional toll on families and cause a lot of stress when combined with many other obligations. At some point, the level of care required often becomes too great for working families.

Reducing Costs

For some dementia patients it may be possible for them to have a roommate at a care center. It is best to check with the care facilities you are looking at to see if they think this is a good idea for your loved one. If dementia is advanced enough, it may be impossible to have a roommate.

Adult day care programs both in home and at care facilities are much cheaper than full-time care, and provide the relief needed for loved ones to work and fulfill their other life obligations.

Funding Memory Care

Long-term care policies have become more common since the cost of elder care has been on the rise for so many years. If you or your loved one has a long-term care policy, then it is good to make sure that you understand the coverage and limitations before signing up for any care. Some plans may only cover part of the cost or there may be a lifetime payout limit.

The VA Aid & Attendance pension is a benefit available to veterans, spouses, and widows. The benefit is also available to those that have lost a child in a foreign war. The New Mexico Department of Veterans Affairs should be contacted to start the application process.

Medicaid programs can help cover some or all of the cost of long-term care for low income persons or those that simply cannot pay the high expense of care out of pocket. It is important to keep in mind that those that own their home should talk to a lawyer before signing Medicaid documents. If someone owns their home and then goes into long-term care with Medicaid coverage, the state may seek to recover some of this money, thus leading to loved ones being forced to sell the home or come up with the total owed.