Atlanta Alzheimer’s Care

The rate of Alzheimer’s diagnosis is growing at an alarming rate with over 5 million people in America living with the disease. It’s also costing the country a lot of money and time in care as we try to find a cure and viable treatment options. If you have a family member or loved one that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, all you want to do is make sure they receive the best care possible.

In Atlanta, Georgia there are plenty of resources at your disposal to make sure this happens. There is a very active chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association here that plans events, provides support and information, and helps to educate the public by funding research and clinical trials. There are also many different care options available including over a dozen senior care facilities that specialize in Alzheimer’s care. Four of these facilities, Prosper Home Care, Brighton Gardens of Dunwoody, Home Care Assistance, Dunwoody Pines, and Safe Haven at Brookhaven, have even won SeniorAdvisor.com’s 2016 Best in Senior Living Awards.

Atlanta Facts About Alzheimer’s

Nearly 1 in 3 seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, and 2,048 of those deaths were right in Georgia.

Georgia had 130,000 cases of Alzheimer’s in 2015 which was about 11% of the population. That number is expected to increase by 46.2% by the year 2025.

506,000 caregivers worked a total of 576,000,000 hours, all of which were unpaid.

Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the US and the 5th leading cause of death among adults aged 65-85

These statistics seem less than hopeful, but there are just as many positive facts out there. In Georgia, over 100,000 individuals were able to receive some form of care funded by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s Care in Atlanta

It is crucial that your family member or loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s receives some form of care and it’s important to explore all of your options. Each person is different and the disease will present itself in very different ways, so your care plan needs to be customized to the individual.

There are usually three main options when it comes to care and each has their benefits. If you only need part-time care for your loved one, then an adult day care program might be the best option. Plymouth Harbor and Bethlehem Senior Center both have adult programs located in the Atlanta area.

You also have the option to bring in a healthcare professional into your home. These individuals are specially trained to deal with Alzheimer’s and can provide one-on-one care. This is a good choice if your loved one doesn’t like to be in a group setting and you want to have a close relationship with the people who work with your family member.

Finally, you can choose to have your family member placed in an assisted living facility that caters to Alzheimer’s patients. This is good for people who are in the late stages of the disease and require constant supervision.

What Care Will Cost In Atlanta

Probably the next biggest question after what kind of care do I want is how much will this cost. America paid over $226 billion in Alzheimer’s costs over the last year and it’s expected to reach the trillions by 2050. Depending on the state you live in, costs can vary greatly and each care plan is going to affect the total cost.

In Atlanta, you can expect to pay around $36,700 annually for an assisted living facility. That number will probably increase by about 2% over the next five years. If you choose adult day care, you can expect to pay $15,600 each year and an in-home health aide is going to cost $41,184 per year.

How To Pay For Care In Atlanta

Though the cost might seem high, there are plenty of options to look into when it comes to funding Alzheimer’s care. Check to see if your family member has purchased a long-term care policy. If they have this form of insurance, this is going to be the best option for paying for long-term care. Contact their agent and see exactly what the policy covers so you can start using these benefits.

Speaking of benefits, if your family member was a veteran, then they might be eligible to receive health care funding even if they didn’t serve in a combat role. Eligibility varies by state, so check here to see if they qualify for coverage. Medicaid is another option, especially for low-income families. Medicaid often will cover a large portion of long-term care as long as you’re eligible.

Finally, you can look into private groups to see if there are any grants or programs that can supplement Alzheimer’s care. Check with the Alzheimer’s Association in your area to learn more or contact the Life Care Funding Group for more information.