Alzheimer’s and Geriatric Care Payment and Care Options

Alzheimer’s disease impacts more than 5 million older Americans. There are different stages of the disease, with its latter stages generally requiring full-time care and round-the-clock supervision. Paying for comprehensive Alzheimer’s and geriatric care when family members are unable to provide it is an expensive prospect. Fortunately, there are many ways to find affordable care and sources of funding, and generate the revenues needed to cover the expense of Alzheimer’s and respite care.

Does your loved one with Alzheimer’s need compassionate in-home care? HomeCentris Healthcare can create a customized care plan. Request a free consultation today!

The Conversation about Alzheimer’s and Geriatric Care

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, it’s important to discuss how you’ll cover care expenses as the disease progresses. Research and discuss payment options, federal assistance programs, and means of generating revenue that could be used to offset Alzheimer’s and general geriatric care costs. This is also an excellent opportunity to have a conversation about your end-of-life arrangements and wishes with loved ones.

Learning More About Alzheimer’s Care

Getting proper care for Alzheimer’s is crucial. If you haven’t done so already, spend some time researching, talking with home care agencies, and scheduling tours of facilities in your area. Memory care facilities offer a range of amenities including nutritious meals, housekeeping and laundry services, and fitness-related activities. These facilities can be on the pricey side, so it’s best to contact facilities for more specific estimates.

Medicare

Strictly speaking, Medicare does not pay for Alzheimer’s and geriatric care. However, there are specific (though limited) aspects that Medicare insurance is designed to help pay for. It will pay for 100 percent of the cost of nursing home care if medically necessary for 20 days and 80 percent of the cost for a further 80 days, which is increased to 190 days if psychiatric care is required. However, Medicare does not pay for custodial or personal care in an assisted living facility, but it does pay for medical care. The same is true for skilled home health and adult day care.

Medicaid

Medicaid waivers provide for personal care in homes, communities, and sometimes in assisted or senior living facilities, but there are financial eligibility requirements and required functional limitations. In general, mid- to late-stage Alzheimer’s patients qualify easily for Medicaid benefits. There are also state non-Medicaid programs that provide help for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other geriatric conditions without consideration of their financial status as an eligibility criterion. HomeCentris is a leader in helping clients apply for these Medicaid benefits.

Non-Governmental Assistance

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Family Respite Care Grant fund is a non-profit member organization that works directly with families in the administration of grant funding. The Alzheimer’s Association also has a respite care program. Veterans Administration funding provides assistance for veterans with Alzheimer’s, as well as respite care.

Selling Your Home

If home care is no longer an option, putting your home on the market offers an alternative option to pay for medical costs. Be sure to carefully research property values to estimate how much you can potentially earn from a sale. Then connect with a reputable real estate professional to get the process started.

Alzheimer’s and Geriatric Care Costs

Medicare will pay some medical costs for those age 65 and older and for all those with late-stage kidney failure. Medicare pays some medical expenses for those who’ve received Social Security disability income for two years. While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of personal home care, some states offer care services (called PACE) to elderly individuals who would otherwise need nursing home care.

Remember, it’s important to know your payment options when it comes to Alzheimer’s and geriatric care, and always discuss your options with family members. Having the conversation is an opportunity to make sure your loved ones understand your care and end-of-life wishes so there are no misunderstandings.

 

Written by Lydia Chan of alzheimerscaregiver.net.