Houston Alzheimer’s Care

Chances are that you know someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease, whether it’s a family member or a friend. There are over 5 million people in the United States who are dealing with this disease on a day to day basis. Unfortunately, the number of cases is growing and this is causing a lot of stress and worry in families across the country. Because Alzheimer’s is a long-term disease and requires a lot of care, it can take a toll on the whole family.

In Texas alone, there were 340,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in 2015 and that number is only going to increase at an alarming rate. Because this disease is so aggressive and there are more and more cases, there are also more resources available to help you care for your family member and make sure you are getting what they need.

Houston is home to some of the state’s best senior living facilities, including seven of SeniorAdvisor.com 2016 Best of Senior Living Award winners like Atria Westchase and Belmont Village Hunters Creek. There is also an active chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in the Houston area that can provide even more information and support.

A Few Alzheimer’s Facts In Texas

With 11% of the Texas population living with Alzheimer’s, it is an extremely prevalent disease that is not going away fast.

It is the 6th leading cause of death in Texas with 5,293 deaths in 2012.

Texas ranks 4th in the number of Alzheimer’s cases in the United States and second in the number of deaths from this disease.

In Texas, there was about 1.5 billion hours of unpaid care which would amount to about $18.5 million per year.

By 2025, the number of Alzheimer’s cases in Texas will have increased by 44.1%.

While these facts might seem like doom and gloom, there is still good work and research going on to combat this debilitating disease. In 2015, the Texas Alzheimer’s Association raised over $2 million to contribute to research and funding.

Alzheimer’s Care In Houston

So what is included in Alzheimer’s care? There are a few different options which make it easy to customize a plan that fits the unique needs of your family member.

If your parent or loved one is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, you can look into options such as adult day care. These programs allow you to work during the day while they get care from trained professionals who work on cognitive function and other basic needs. You can also choose to have someone come into your home to provide care. This is nice because the healthcare worker will get to work one on one with your family member and they can build a relationship and create a comfortable environment.

If your family member has reached the last stages of Alzheimer’s or needs more intense care than you can provide, an assisted living facility might be the best option. There are specially designed facilities that tailor their care to Alzheimer’s specific needs. The most important thing to keep in mind as you choose your care plan is to make sure that the patient is in a comfortable and safe environment that doesn’t cause added stress.

Cost Of Alzheimer’s Care In Houston

$226 billion. That is the cost of Alzheimer’s across the country and it is a number that is only going to increase. This disease can be a long-term and slow progressing disease and that means that cost is going to be high over that time period. While it can be hard to find the exact number you will pay because of location and varying economies, these are some good estimates.

The annual cost of an assisted living facility in Houston, Texas was $43,500 in 2015. That number is expected to grow by 3% over the next five years. If you decide to stick with adult day care, you can expect to pay around $11,050 each year and an in-home healthcare professional will be around $44,616 per year.

Paying For Alzheimer’s Care

The numbers can be a little shocking at first, but it’s important to keep in mind that you do have options when it comes to financing Alzheimer’s care. First, you should find out if your family member has long-term care insurance. This can help cover the cost of living expenses and care that is needed for Alzheimer’s. Talk with the insurance agent to find out exactly what is covered in their policy and to set-up payments so the policy doesn’t lapse.

You can also look into programs like Veteran’s Benefits and AARP because they might provide some funding for long-term care. Medicaid is also going to be a good option because they are one of the biggest payers for long-term care. You can visit here to find out if you’re eligible for benefits. You can also check out groups like the Life Care Funding Group and Center for Long-Term Care Financing.