Fresno Alzheimer’s Care

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that touches the lives of thousands of people in California. 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. With the varying levels of care available, it is important to research facilities before admitting your loved one.

Fresno has 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.

California Alzheimer’s Facts

Alzheimer’s is the 5th leading cause of death in California

There has been a 169% increase in Alzheimer’s deaths since 2000.

In 2014, there was a total of 1,791,000,000 hours of unpaid care for Alzheimer’s patients, which valued $21,795,000,000.

Alzheimer’s Care Options

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.

Calculating The Cost Of Alzheimer’s Care

The cost of Alzheimer’s care in Fresno is very high due to how much is required. Those that can get by with adult day care services can get a better deal. However, 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 monthly median cost of full nursing care in Fresno is $6,889 for a semi-private room and $7,391 for a private room.

The monthly median cost of adult day care services is $1,647.

Paying For Advanced Levels Of Care

It is common for families to try to provide care for aging family members. 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. Sometimes caregivers do not realize what a toll it is taking on their own health or do not want to admit that a loved one’s condition has progressed.

Containing Costs

A semi-private room does offer substantial cost savings and encourages patient interaction. This may not be the best situation for those with advanced memory loss. The care facility and physicians that know a lot about you or your loved one’s condition can help decide if a roommate is a realistic option.

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. This helps keep a loved one at home for a longer period, which can help with cost savings. However, Alzheimer’s sometimes occurs earlier than average in some individuals so stretching out the care budget can be more of an issue.

Funding Resources For 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 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 pay the balance.