Monday, January 27, 2014

Care For Alzheimer's Patients: What Are The Options?

Care For Alzheimer's Patients: What Are The Options?

By Kristana Jenson


If a loved one is suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's disease, then you already know how difficult it can be to deal with this disorder, both for the person who has the disease and for those who care for him or her. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and it affects as many as five million Americans.

After a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Neither the caregiver nor the person with the disease should hesitate to ask for help. There are many organizations that can provide support and advice to help you deal with this disease in the best way possible.

If diagnosis was made fairly early on, then some medicines have been shown to slow down the effects of Alzheimer's, so this might be a good first option. However, the heartbreaking truth is that eventually the disease is going to reach a point where providing care is completely overwhelming. Not only might your loved one not remember you a good amount of the time, they might be quite resistant to care. At this point, it can be best for everyone if you begin looking for alternative care options.

There are many different types of care options, and often a big part of your decision will be based upon the budget that is available for use. An assisted living facility is an option to consider as some of these facilities do offer special residences designed just for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's. Security measures have been taken to keep residences safe and secure, and the staff has been trained to be helpful and understanding of the special needs of people with dementia. The monthly fees will include the residence, housekeeping, laundry, daily personal care and generally, a large list of amenities, such as a swimming pool, exercise classes and social activities. Nursing care is limited, but staff will help with minor medical needs such as taking medications properly and on time.

All of those amenities and care come with a high price tag, however, and can cost many thousands of dollars each month, so assisted living is simply not an option for many people. Hiring a caregiver to live in the home of your loved one can be a more cost-effective way to provide care and security at a lower cost. Another option would be to find a board and care home that is set up to handle dementia and Alzheimer's care. These homes only have about five or six people living in them at any time and usually are located in private residences, which can be very comforting to your loved one.

A skilled nursing facility might be your best option for a person who has little income beyond Social Security. Medi-Cal can be used to pay for the monthly costs at some skilled nursing facilities, which also are called nursing homes or elder care homes. The staff is trained to deal with a variety of medical conditions, including the different stages of dementia. Usually these facilities are secure, and you also will have medical professionals available 24 hours a day throughout the week. The downside to a nursing home is that it does have a more hospital-like feel, which is not particularly cheerful, but necessary because of the medical needs of the residents. These days, many nursing homes have made an effort to improve the decor and to offer a wider mix of activities for residents to enjoy.




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