Sacramento Alzheimer’s Care

Alzheimer’s is known for causing a steady decline in mental function, and every 67 seconds someone new develops the disease. Over 590,000 seniors are living with the disease in California, and that number is expected to grow to over 840,000 in the next decade. If you or someone you love has been impacted by the disease, you are far from alone.

The disease is on the rise, but so is advocacy and research around it, giving more access than ever before to resources, management, and treatment for Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter is extremely active in the community, providing conferences, classes, support groups and events to people with Alzheimer’s, their family and loved ones, and medial professionals in the area. Reach out to this local branch for resources or to get involved in the fight.

There are no shortage of care options in the Sacramento area, with nearly 50 memory care facilities to choose from. Included on that list are three SeniorAdvisor.com 2016 Best of Senior Living award recipients, Ciric Care Home, Revere Court, and Carlton Plaza of Sacramento.

Alzheimer’s Facts in Sacramento and in California

As a nation, over 5.3 million seniors have Alzheimer’s disease. This significant health threat continues to grow and has become a top of mind issue for Americans.

The Alzheimer’s Association discovers that, in 2015, 11% of Californians have Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the 5th leading cause of death in the state, and there has been a 169% increase in Alzheimer’s deaths since 2000.

1.573 million unpaid caregivers invested 1.791 billion hours of time in 2014 caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

Unpaid care costs in the state of California in 2014 totaled $21.795 billion.

The negative impact on the health of caregivers in the state resulted in an $895 million higher health care cost to those individuals.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers over 150 different support groups in the area, and the majority of their programs are free to recipients.

There are over 500 open studies nationwide for Alzheimer’s research.

Exploring Alzheimer’s Care Solutions

There are a number of options for Alzheimer’s care, and determining which is best for a loved one will depend on a number of factors. Generally, the decision will be made between in-home care, adult day care programs specifically for those with memory care needs, or care provided in a residential or nursing home setting.

Regardless of which is the best fit, ensure that the type of care provided is friendly, helps the senior with Alzheimer’s feel comfortable, and creates a safe environment where assistance is provided.

What is the monthly investment for Alzheimer’s care in Sacramento?

As a nation, Alzheimer’s care costs over $226 billion annually, and more than half of those costs are paid out of pocket or from supplemental insurance companies. Estimating the actual cost for a particular senior can be complex as the price is driven by a number of factors including geographic location and the level of care required.

In a 2015 study conducted by Genworth on the Cost of Care in the nation, we find that nationally seniors in need of nursing home care paid $6,692 per month for semi-private rooms and $7,604 for private rooms in a facility. In the Sacramento area specifically, those costs rose to $7,878 and $12,570 respectively likely due to the cost of living and costs of medical care in the area.

What are some options for financing Alzheimer’s care in Sacramento?

Not only is Alzheimer’s care costly, but someone with the disease can live a long time, making deciding how best to fund the care an important decision. There are a number of ways to both manage the cost, and to apply for financial aid to assist in financing care. Here we explore a few suggestions.

Cost Management

Nursing home’s that offer a semi-private room option are an excellent way to manage costs. In the Sacramento area, a private room is nearly $4,700 more monthly than a semi-private dwelling, totaling over $56,000 annually. If your loved one is comfortable with the presence of a roommate, this could be an excellent way to save money while still proving a safe living situation and excellent care.

Many families prefer to provide care for their loved ones at home, and adult day programs can be a perfect solution to provide respite for caregivers to allow them to work while still providing a safe, supervised environment during the work day. In the Sacramento area, these programs charge around $1,650 monthly, and the California Association for Day Services can help find the right center for your loved one.

Care Funding

There are a number of options families can use to pay for Alzheimer’s care. Below we explore three of the most common eligibility criteria, and how to apply.

A popular way to fund Alzheimer’s care is with a previously purchased long-term care insurance policy. Examine your loved ones insurance portfolio for this type of coverage. The policy should cover the majority or all of the long-term care expenses. For questions on coverage, reach out directly to the insurance provider or agent to understand what is and is not included.

Any man or woman who served in the military during active duty wartime, or their widow, could be eligible to receive VA Aid & Attendance from the government. For a complete list of eligibility requirements or to submit an application, contact the nearest regional benefits office in Oakland, or for more information about the Aid & Attendance program, visit this website.

Medicaid assistance is the most commonly used option when paying for long-term care. To qualify, seniors need to meet a number of criteria, including having low-income, limited assets, and being unable to otherwise pay for care. For a full list of requirements, questions about the program, and application instructions visit the California benefits page or visit your local office for assistance.