Chicago Alzheimer’s Care

There are over 5 million people in America that are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which means that there is a good chance you know someone affected by this disease. In Illinois alone, 12% of the population has Alzheimer’s and the number is only expected to keep growing. Because the number of cases is growing every year, family and loved ones are struggling to find ways to care for those affected. The good news is that because it is such a prevalent disease, there are more and more resources available to help everyone involved.

Right here in Illinois, there is an active chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and they provide education, support, help, and plenty of resources to help deal with the burden of this disease. The biggest worry is finding a place that can take care of your family member while still making sure they are comfortable and happy. Luckily there are dozens of places right in Chicago that you can find the best care for your loved one including 2016 Best of Senior Living Award winning Colfax Manor Assisted Living.

Data and Figures on Alzheimer’s Disease in Illinois

Not only is this disease a problem across the country, it is the sixth leading cause of death here in Illinois. In 2015, there were 210,000 documented cases of Alzheimer’s disease. If the rate of cases continues, in 2025 there will be 240,000 with a 14% increase. In 2014, there were over 589,000 caregivers who worked a total of 671,000,000 unpaid hours and the value of that unpaid care reaches over $8 million.

The Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association helped raise over 10 million dollars to help support the cause

What Does Alzheimer’s Care Include?

There are a few different types of care when it comes to Alzheimer’s and this is a good thing because the disease can affect each person differently. It’s important to make sure that when you’re looking at care for your loved one, you choose the best option for them and customize their care.

There are three main forms of care. You can have a trained professional come into your home and provide one on one care, there are day care programs that provide a place for Alzheimer’s patients to spend their day and work on cognitive function, and there are senior care communities where the patient can live and receive care 24 hours a day.

It all depends on what is going to work best for your family member because you want them to feel comfortable and safe. You might also switch care plans as the disease progresses and you need more intense care.

What Is The Cost For Alzheimer’s Care?

The price of Alzheimer’s care is not cheap and it is increasing with each year. Nationally it is costing billions of dollars and that number is only going to get bigger. When it comes to the state by state costs, it is going to be a little tricky to find the exact number of cost because it can vary by location.

In 2015, the annual cost for an assisted living facility in Chicago, Illinois cost about $58,740 and over 5 years that number is going to increase by 4%. Looking at the cost of other forms of care, adult day care cost $16,900 annually, and hiring a home health care worker cost $51,205 per year.

How Do I Pay For Alzheimer’s Care?

Those numbers can be staggering, especially if you are also taking care of your own family along with an Alzheimer’s patient. It can be a struggle to figure out how you are going to provide any care for your family member, but there are a few different ways you can make sure that your loved one is getting the best care possible.

Using an adult day care program is going to be a little bit more cost effective than using a residential care facility. This gives you a break from the caregiving responsibilities and allows you to go to work while your family member still receives care.

If the Alzheimer’s patient has to be in a residential care facility, it might be a good idea to look into semi-private rooms to help lower the cost. The cost of a semi-private room was about $10,000 less than a private room in Chicago facilities.

If you’re looking for funding options, there are a few different choices. If your parent or loved one has a long-term care policy, it probably covers Alzheimer’s care. Talk with their agent to find out what is and is not included in the policy and how you can make the most of the money offered.

Programs like Veteran’s benefits can help lower the cost of care and you can contact the local office to see if you’re eligible for benefits. Medicaid is probably going to be one of the biggest ways that you can fund Alzheimer’s care because it can cover half of the cost for a long-term care facility. You can find out if you’re eligible for care and apply for Medicaid here at the Illinois coverage website.