There are about five million people in the United States who have Alzheimer's disease, a widespread form of dementia, and if your friend, spouse or parent is one of these five million, then you already clearly understand how difficult life can be with this disease. The disease is difficult both for those who have it and for those who are trying their best to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease.
This is a diagnosis that no one wants to hear, but it is important to note that there are many support groups today that can help you and the person living with Alzheimer's to deal with the many changes that will be happening. It can be very overwhelming at first, but talking to people who are going through the same situation can be very helpful and comforting and can help you create a plan of action to make life as easy as possible.
In the beginning stages, medical treatments can slow the progression of the disease, but at some point, it will be difficult for a person to care for themselves, and eventually it will become very difficult for a spouse or child to act as a caregiver. Because Alzheimer's patients eventually need constant care and safety measures to ensure that they don't wander away from their home, it can be a good idea to look into alternative types of care.
There are many different types of care options, and often a big part of your decision will be based upon the budget that is available for use. An assisted living facility is an option to consider as some of these facilities do offer special residences designed just for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's. Security measures have been taken to keep residences safe and secure, and the staff has been trained to be helpful and understanding of the special needs of people with dementia. The monthly fees will include the residence, housekeeping, laundry, daily personal care and generally, a large list of amenities, such as a swimming pool, exercise classes and social activities. Nursing care is limited, but staff will help with minor medical needs such as taking medications properly and on time.
The downside to assisted living is the cost, as these facilities often cost as much as $3,000 per month, or more and rarely can you use Medi-Cal to pay for even a portion of the monthly costs. There are some board & care facilities that specialize in taking residents with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. These are private homes that can take up to six residents, and sometimes this is a less expensive option to consider. An in-home caregiver also can be hired, providing near-constant care, and this is another option to consider.
If your loved one's income is sparse and mostly consists of social security payments, then you might need to find a facility that accepts Medi-Cal as a payment. Generally, the type of facility that you will be looking at is a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. On the plus side, there will be nursing staff on hand all day and night, and security is usually very good. In addition, there will be someone there who can handle all personal tasks as well as any emergency situations that arise. The downside is that because of their highly medical nature, nursing homes often feel quite institutional, although some have taken great pains to provide cheerful decor and a myriad of activities for the residents to provide more of a community feeling.
This is a diagnosis that no one wants to hear, but it is important to note that there are many support groups today that can help you and the person living with Alzheimer's to deal with the many changes that will be happening. It can be very overwhelming at first, but talking to people who are going through the same situation can be very helpful and comforting and can help you create a plan of action to make life as easy as possible.
In the beginning stages, medical treatments can slow the progression of the disease, but at some point, it will be difficult for a person to care for themselves, and eventually it will become very difficult for a spouse or child to act as a caregiver. Because Alzheimer's patients eventually need constant care and safety measures to ensure that they don't wander away from their home, it can be a good idea to look into alternative types of care.
There are many different types of care options, and often a big part of your decision will be based upon the budget that is available for use. An assisted living facility is an option to consider as some of these facilities do offer special residences designed just for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's. Security measures have been taken to keep residences safe and secure, and the staff has been trained to be helpful and understanding of the special needs of people with dementia. The monthly fees will include the residence, housekeeping, laundry, daily personal care and generally, a large list of amenities, such as a swimming pool, exercise classes and social activities. Nursing care is limited, but staff will help with minor medical needs such as taking medications properly and on time.
The downside to assisted living is the cost, as these facilities often cost as much as $3,000 per month, or more and rarely can you use Medi-Cal to pay for even a portion of the monthly costs. There are some board & care facilities that specialize in taking residents with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. These are private homes that can take up to six residents, and sometimes this is a less expensive option to consider. An in-home caregiver also can be hired, providing near-constant care, and this is another option to consider.
If your loved one's income is sparse and mostly consists of social security payments, then you might need to find a facility that accepts Medi-Cal as a payment. Generally, the type of facility that you will be looking at is a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. On the plus side, there will be nursing staff on hand all day and night, and security is usually very good. In addition, there will be someone there who can handle all personal tasks as well as any emergency situations that arise. The downside is that because of their highly medical nature, nursing homes often feel quite institutional, although some have taken great pains to provide cheerful decor and a myriad of activities for the residents to provide more of a community feeling.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson enjoys reading home health care blogs. For more information about assisted living Escondido facilities or for expert help finding board and care Carlsbad services, please check out the CarePlacement website today.
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