When a parent or other loved one is facing memory issues, you want to make the best possible decision concerning their well-being. Yet deciding how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be very difficult. In addition to the emotions involved, financial concerns also have to be factored in, as memory care costs can run quite high.
Having a clearer picture of the costs involved in both home care and a dedicated memory care setting can help you arrive at a decision that works both for you and your loved one.
The prevalence of Alzheimer’s and what it can cost caregivers:
- More than 6 million people are living with Alzheimer’s.
- 1 in 9 people age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. By 2025, this number is expected to reach 7.2 million.
- More women than men have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
- Over 11 million people in America provide unpaid care for Alzheimer’s patients. These figures reflect a decline in the number of caregivers compared with a decade earlier, as well as an increase in the amount of care provided by each remaining caregiver.
- Caring for someone in need of memory care at home can be an exhausting and very difficult process. Caregivers lose an average of $15,000 in income in order to provide care.
- Family and friends spend, on average, more than $11,000 a year of their own money on expenses of their loved ones, ranging from food to adult diapers.
Not all costs of memory care are about money.
Anxiety, emotional stress, depression—just a few of the effects of trying to be a full time caregiver while also taking care of a family, job, and other daily duties. And often with no end in sight. Because Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s may live for several years – as many as 20, in some cases—gradually requiring more care and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), or routine daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and ambulation.
Memory support in a senior living community: what it costs, what it offers.
On average, a private room in a memory care setting in the U.S. costs approximately $5,745 per month, with location being a dominant factor. Costs depend upon the specific care plan for an individual. It’s important to speak with an administrator to get a clear picture of just what the final tally will be. Senior Star senior living communities offer you a cost calculator so you can get a rough idea in advance of expenses.
What the cost of memory care typically covers:
- 24- hour staff, with personal assistance throughout the day from people specially trained to interact and care for those facing dementia.
- Specialized programming, which can include music therapy, pet therapy, group activities, destination stations, multi-sensory environments, brain fitness software and more.
- Structured activities, which may slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s or even improve cognitive functioning for a time.
- A secure setting that allows residents to find their way without wandering or becoming frustrated.
- On-site health services and wellness checks that provide proactive monitoring of changes in health status.
- Accommodations specifically designed for the comfort and safety of a person needing memory support.
- Personal services such as housekeeping, laundry, linen services handled by staff.
- Regular meals served in an inviting dining area, to ensure daily nutritional needs are met.
- Precious peace of mind for family and friends that their loved one is in a secure and nurturing environment and assistance is available 24 hours a day.
Maybe most important of all: studies have consistently shown that active management of Alzheimer’s and other dementias can improve the quality of life of affected individuals and their caregivers. In memory support in a senior living community, your loved one can receive the attention, programming, and care they need, while you can once again be a loving family member.
We Strive to Give Your Loved One Purpose Each and Every Day.
In Memory Support at Senior Star, your loved one is known and valued. We’d like to tell you more, whether you have a loved one in need of memory support, or you are considering independent living or assisted living and trying to decide between staying at home or moving to a senior living community. Download our free guide: Should You Stay Or Should You Go: How to Decide Between Home and Senior Living. We are here to help you.
