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Families and Dementia Care

If you or your loved one has recently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, you are likely overwhelmed. Beyond attempting to navigate the emotions you feel at the time of a diagnosis, you and your loved ones also have many decisions and plans to make.

Though you might feel alone during your time researching medications and planning for future care, you aren’t. The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 50 million people around the globe are living with some form of dementia. However, every case of dementia and every person with dementia is unique. This can make decisions and planning even more difficult.

For most families, prioritizing safety and dignity is crucial. However, choosing dementia care senior living communities can feel like it is too expensive to even consider. You might be surprised to discover that dementia care can be an affordable option for your situation, especially when you consider the costs of care and support if your loved one is living at home.

Family Caregiver Support

Many family members want to provide support and assistance to their loved one who is living with dementia at home. However, this plan can often result in caregiver burnout and fatigue. The Family Caregiver Alliance has reported that by the mid-2010s, as many as 43.5 million Americans were providing some type of informal care for their senior loved ones, at an economic value of more than $470 billion. This amount of care is bound to create caregiver burnout among family members and other informal caregivers.

Caregiver burnout, or caregiver fatigue, is a phenomenon by which caregivers become stressed out and even physically ill because of their role. Caregivers experiencing fatigue can be at a higher risk of becoming ill or even suffering from anxiety and depression, leading to physician bills and time missed from work.

How Much Dementia Care Costs

Dementia care is an excellent option for family caregivers, offering safety and support for seniors living with dementia. Though the monthly cost of dementia care can vary by state and community, the average cost is around $4,000 and typically includes:

  • A spacious apartment
  • Three meals per day, plus snacks
  • A specialized environment and community
  • Assistance from caregivers and nurses round the clock
  • Access to events and activities throughout the day, including evenings and weekends
  • Access to transportation services
  • Personalized care based on history and preferences
  • Medication administration by licensed nursing personnel
  • Access to social work and other senior services

Depending on the community, there could be additional costs associated with higher levels of care. These costs would be discussed with family members prior to moving in as well as when the caregivers begin to see that additional services are required.

Comparing Costs

Though $4,000 or more per month for dementia care can seem expensive at first, the cost can end up being lower than monthly expenses the senior may incur if they continue to live at home. When considering whether senior living could fit into your loved one’s budget, remember to write down their current expenses, including:

  • Mortgage
  • Home insurance
  • Cable and Wi-Fi
  • Groceries
  • Takeout meals
  • Transportation costs
  • Home care services for assistance in the home
  • Lawn maintenance

Further, seniors living with dementia who remain at home are at an increased risk for safety concerns, such as falling or medication mistakes, which can lead to hospital bills. This is important to remember as you determine whether investing in senior living is your best option.

Benefits of Dementia Care

Exceptional dementia care communities provide personalized care for each resident that is designed to keep them safe, healthy, comfortable, and happy. Living at home can feel quite isolating for seniors with dementia, leaving them feeling depressed, anxious, and lonely.

Benefits of living in a specialized dementia care community include the opportunity for increased socialization as well as:

  • Better diet and nutrition tracking
  • Decreased risk of medication mismanagement
  • Decreased risk of falling at home alone
  • Monitoring by specially trained staff
  • Educational opportunities for family members to learn more about the disease and have more pleasant visits with their loved one

Learn more about how to choose a dementia care community as well as how to navigate other important decisions when you or your loved one receives a dementia diagnosis by downloading our free guide, “Living Well with Dementia.”

In the Roseland area, exceptional dementia care doesn’t have to be too expensive to afford. At Arbor Terrace Roseland, our Evergreen dementia care neighborhood is beautiful and cozy, providing a stimulating environment in which residents can feel their best.

Specialized services, such as our award winning Dining with Dignity® program, were created especially to meet the changing needs of the seniors we serve.  We would love to show you what makes our community so special and introduce you to the staff members who care so well for our residents.

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Donna Isbell Walker

About the Author: Donna Isbell Walker

Donna is a former newspaper feature writer and editor whose passion is writing about WWII and Korean War veterans.

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