St. Louis Alzheimer’s Care

Taking care of a family member that has Alzheimer’s disease is no easy task. There are so many things to consider and as the disease progresses, their life and yours will probably have to change drastically. It might feel like you’re alone in all of this, but over 5 million Americans deal with this disease every day and there are ways to make it easier for everyone.

Missouri is one of the best places that you can take care of your loved one and you don’t have to worry about leaving the city to find the proper care. St. Louis is home to at least a dozen senior care facilities that are dedicated to taking care of those with Alzheimer’s disease. These include places like Tesson Heights and Brookdale Creve Coeur, which are both in the heart of St. Louis.

The Alzheimer’s Association also has an active chapter in the St. Louis area and they have plenty of research, resources, support, and education for anyone who needs to learn more about Alzheimer’s and the care it requires.

Data On Alzheimer’s In St. Louis

Of the 5 million people in the U.S. that have Alzheimer’s, 110,000 reside right here in St. Louis. Sadly that number is projected to grow over the next 10 years to 130,000.

Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in Missouri with 2,026 deaths in 2012 alone.

Missouri has the 9th highest Alzheimer’s death rate in the United States.

Since 2000, Missouri has seen an 85% increase in cases and expects to see an increase of 18.2% by 2025.

Over 310,000 caregivers have worked for 355,000,000 hours, all unpaid. The total amount of money that would cost is over $4 billion.

It isn’t all bad news though because the St. Louis chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is working hard. Last year they raised $432,000 which helped contribute to $1.1 million in research grants. They also had over 1,500 volunteers contributing 55,382 hours of work.

What Types of Alzheimer’s Care Are Available?

Once a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is given, a care plan needs to be created. This helps both the patient and the family know exactly what is going to happen and make sure all needs are met. There are a few different options when it comes to a care plan, and it’s important to make sure that you choose what makes your family member feel safe and comfortable.

Adult day care programs are a good choice if your family member is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and likes being in a group setting. This option also allows the primary caregiver to have a break in their responsibilities as well as have the chance to go to work or do whatever else they need to do. St. Elizabeth Adult Day Care Center and Southside Wellness Center are both located in the St. Louis area and offer adult programs.

You could also have someone come into your home to take care of your loved one and work with them on a more personal level. Finally, there are assisted living facilities that specialize in Alzheimer’s care. This is the best option if your family member needs intensive care or are entering the later stages of the disease.

What Is The Cost Of Alzheimer’s Care?

As of 2015, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are costing the country $226 billion and that number is expected to reach the trillions if no cure or treatment is found. What that cost means to you and your family is going to vary state by state, and will also depend on the type of treatment and care you decide to pursue.

In 2015, assisted living facilities cost about $44,000 per year in St. Louis. That number is expected to increase by 5% over the next five years. Adult day care programs cost about $19,131 per year and having a home healthcare worker cost $45,188 per year.

How Can I Pay For Alzheimer’s Care?

While those numbers are large, they shouldn’t make you worry just yet. There are plenty of payment options and ways to fund Alzheimer’s care so you don’t have to pay for everything out of pocket.

If you’re looking to save money, you might consider having your family member share a room at their assisted living facility. Semi-private rooms in St. Louis cost about $9,000 less per year so that could be significant savings. You could also use a mix of adult day care and an in-home aide to help ease the cost of care.

You have a few options when it comes to finding money to pay for care. The best option is going to be a long-term care insurance policy. If your family member has this type of insurance, many of their care costs could be covered. Find out if they have long-term care insurance and talk with their agent to find out what their coverage includes.

You can also pay for care with benefits programs like veteran’s benefits, even if you weren’t in combat. Eligibility will be different in each state, so check with your local office to see what money you can receive for long-term care. Medicaid is also an excellent choice, especially for low-income families. Medicaid often will pay a large portion of long-term care as long as you’re eligible.

There are many more programs and options that you can look into to see what money is out there to pay for Alzheimer’s care.