by Pam Ness
How to pay for Alzheimer’s care is a big concern for many Americans. A recently released comprehensive study from the Alzheimer’s Association reveals the grim financial reality of the cost of caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Family caregivers spend more than $5,000 per year caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, an amount that is a heavy burden for many of us. In addition to that outright expenditure of money, it is estimated that over 15 million Americans provide many hours of unpaid care to someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. On average, these unpaid family caregivers lose over $15,000 of their annual income due to a reduction in regular work hours to care for their loved one, or because they quit jobs.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be emotionally stressful, and approximately 40% of caregivers suffer from depression. It is common for caregivers to not attend to their own health needs, including putting off doctor visits. It can be very hard to manage one’s own needs while attending to the demands of an Alzheimer’s patient.
One of the best things a family caregiver can do is consult with a Professional Aging Life Care Manager, such as those eager to help at Eldercare Services. Professional Care Managers can be a great asset in reducing a family’s emotional and financial stress. Care Managers will examine your unique situation and come up with a personalized plan of care that may utilize free and low-cost community resources, volunteers, family and paid caregivers. Care Managers will be aware of extensive local resources, including programs at churches, hospitals or service clubs. At Eldercare Services, Care Managers can refer families to a network of trusted professionals in the legal and financial fields, obtaining any additional resources in a cohesive way.
So how do you pay for Alzheimer’s Care?
Accessing a supportive professional team like Eldercare Services may reduce both your stress level and the financial cost of care. Take advantage of a complimentary assessment with one of our Professional Care Managers to introduce you to all of the resources available to help support your family and meet all of your care needs. Connect with us today!