Memphis Alzheimer’s Care

Five million Americans suffer daily with Alzheimer’s disease and the Alzheimer’s Association predicts the number will increase to 16 million by 2050. There is no cure for this debilitating disease while costs continue to rise.

In 2015, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease in Tennessee hit a staggering 110,000. The state is expected to see a 27.3 percent increase in cases in the next 10 years.

Never in time has so many resources been available to encourage, support, and educate patients and their caregivers and family members about Alzheimer’s disease. The local West Tennessee Regional Office serves the Memphis area. They offer support groups and special events to raise awareness.

SeniorAdvisor.com awarded 29 senior living communities as top-rated in Tennessee. Four of these 2016 Best of Senior Living are located in Memphis: Elmcroft of Bartlett, Right At Home –Memphis East, The Parkview, and Apple Grove Alzheimer’s and Adult Day Care.

Facts About Alzheimer’s in Tennessee

Alzheimer’s affects families in all areas, including financially, physically, and mentally. Support is critical during this time.

More than 140,000 people age 65 and older in Tennessee are expected to be diagnosed with the disease by 2025.

11 percent of senior citizens in Tennessee suffer from the disease.

Tennessee has the sixth highest Alzheimer’s death rate in the country.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the state.

2,536 Tennessee residents died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2012.

The number of Tennessee Alzheimer’s deaths has increased 148 percent in the last 16 years.

In 2014, Alzheimer’s caregivers numbered 422,000 devoting 480 million unpaid hours. This equates to $5.8 trillion of unpaid care.

Alzheimer’s Care Basics

Finding high quality care is a priority when your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s care is available for those patients in the early-stage, middle-stage, or late-stage. The care can be in-home, adult day centers, assisted living facilities, or long-term skilled nursing residential care in a facility. In early-stage, the patient is able to function independently and may only need small reminders about daily tasks from a caregiver on occasion. The middle-stage caregiving can last for months or years as dementia progresses. This will require more responsibility from a caregiver, including helping the patient get dressed and meeting the demands of a frustrated patient losing the ability to communicate. The late-stage progression needs intensive 24-hour care as the patient may have trouble eating and swallowing. At this stage, the patient may begin to have difficulty walking.

These care communities are either freestanding or attached to a larger facility, like a hospital. At any of these stages, the patient will need supervision and a comforting routine with familiar surroundings.

Social activities with others will keep the patient engaged. According to a recent review of 15 studies, cognitively stimulating activities improved the scores on memory and thinking tests, “equivalent to about a six to nine month delay in worsening of symptoms.”

Average Costs for Alzheimer’s Care in Memphis

The 2015 Genworth Cost of Care Survey provides the median rates for various types of care in Memphis. As the disease progresses, it is expected the averages will also increase over time:

Home health aides are usually an option for early-stage progression at $17 per hour.

Adult day centers charge a median daily rate of $66.

Assisted living facilities charge $3,710 per month on average for a one bed, single occupancy room.

Nursing homes are an option in the later stages when intensive care is needed and costs $68,803 per year for a semi-private room.

Private rooms in a nursing home average slightly more at $74,095 per year.

Paying for Alzheimer’s Care in Memphis

The actual cost for Alzheimer’s care can vary greatly depending on location and the type of care needed. During the early-stage, many families choose to volunteer their time for a loved one or hire in-house care. As the disease progresses, they may be forced to pay for care by accessing their savings accounts or other investments and annuities.

The primary insurance for most Tennessee senior citizens is Medicare. If the patient is eligible, they can combine Medicare with the state’s Medicaid program to cover costs including a long-term care plan. Retirement benefits like IRAs can be used to help offset expenses. The VA Aid and Attendance is available for qualified individuals (and their spouses) that served in the military. This benefit covers personal care either at home or in a facility in Memphis.

Before committing to senior care for your loved one, research and compare facilities and costs. The local West Tennessee Regional Office can provide you with resources to aid in your decision.