San Jose Alzheimer’s Care

Thousands of California seniors and their loved ones are currently coping with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2015 alone, 590,000 Californians over the age of 65 were living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to increase to 840,000 by 2025. Although there is no cure, Alzheimer’s patients in San Jose can find educational materials, access support groups, and connect with quality care providers in the area through the Northern California and Northern Nevada chapter of the national Alzheimer’s Association.

San Jose is home to multiple day care programs for dementia patients, and a number of full-time Alzheimer’s care communities. Two of these establishments were recipients of the SeniorAdvisor.com 2016 Best Senior Living Award, including Belmont Village of San Jose and the Regency of Evergreen Valley.

The Statistics Behind San Jose and California Alzheimer’s Patients

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States is currently on the rise, making it a top priority for health care officials. Every year, thousands of San Jose senior citizens are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia.

11% of the 65+ community in California had Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.

The percentage of seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to jump to 42.4% within the next decade.

In 2012, Alzheimer’s disease was the 5th leading cause of mortality in California and was responsible for 11,891 deaths.

There has been a 169% increase in deaths related to Alzheimer’s disease since 2000 in California.

In 2014, nearly 1.6 million Californians worked a total of almost 1.8 billion unpaid hours to care for friends, family and others suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The value of unpaid Alzheimer’s care in 2014 totaled over $21.7 billion.

Unpaid Alzheimer’s caretakers faced increased healthcare costs in 2014 that totaled $895 million.

What Does Alzheimer’s Care Involve?

Alzheimer’s care involves monitoring and supervising patients in order to avoid injuries or accidents and to prevent wandering. Caregivers should also ensure that patients are eating and drinking enough, and assist them with their daily medication. The primary goal of Alzheimer’s care is to keep a patient healthy and happy.

Some families choose to fill the role of caregiver and provide relatives with Alzheimer’s disease in-home care. This presents patients with a familiar, friendly and comforting environment. In-home caregivers can take advantage of dementia day care and respite assistance programs if they need to work during the day.

San Jose is also home to many full-time Alzheimer’s care communities and assisted living facilities. Trained staff are on hand 24/7 to handle any problem. Families with relatives living in assisted living communities can rest easy knowing that their loved one is in the hands of expert health professionals.

What Should San Jose Families Expect to Pay for Alzheimer’s Care?

The costs of Alzheimer’s care have risen exponentially over the past several years. The Fiscal Times reported that in 2015, the overall cost of Alzheimer’s care in the U.S. hit an unprecedented $226 billion. The median monthly cost of a semi-private room in a U.S. nursing home totaled $6692, while the median monthly cost for a private room was $7604. Individual care costs for Alzheimer’s patients vary from city to city.

San Jose is a popular location amongst retirees, which has caused Alzheimer’s care community costs to skyrocket in the area. In 2015, a semi-private room in a San Jose nursing home cost $9657 per month, while a private room cost an impressive $11,178. This means that accommodation may cost San Jose residents over $3000 more per month than the national average.

Finding Affordable Alzheimer’s Care for Your Loved One in San Jose

Federal medicare helps low income individuals to afford health care, but the program does not pay for all of the coverage costs that an Alzheimer’s patient might face. This program is not based on financial need, but rather, on an individual’s previous social security deductions. Individuals with limited assets should look into the Medi-Cal program, which combines state and Federal funds to help low income California residents access affordable health care. Low income seniors in California should contact the Medi-Cal program to see if they apply for financial assistance.

Veterans and the wives of veterans can seek financial assistance by applying for the VA Aid & Attendance pension. This pension is reserved for veterans that require full-time care or are housebound. San Jose Alzheimer’s patients should contact their local VA branch for more information.

Alzheimer’s patients may be able to save even more money through their insurance plan. Certain long-term care policies cover Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia disorders. Check with your insurance agent to see what your policy covers.