Trying to find Alzheimer’s care can be overwhelming, but if your loved one has Alzheimer’s, it is important to understand the options available and associated Alzheimer’s care costs.
The level of care required (this will change as Alzheimer’s disease progresses) and the cost of care will be two of the biggest factors for deciding what type of Alzheimer’s care is best for your loved one.
Let’s review the different types of care available, and then you can talk with your loved one and your family to decide what best fits your family’s needs.
Different Types of Alzheimer’s Care
There are several different types of care for people with Alzheimer’s.
These vary from home care to a residential facility.
Nursing Home Care
Eventually, your loved one may need around-the-clock medical care, which will require a nursing home.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), nursing homes provide the highest level of medical care of all the different residential facilities. They offer 24/7 medical care and supervision.
Some nursing homes have services or activities tailored for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Assisted Living Care
An assisted living facility may be a good option if your loved one doesn’t require extensive medical care but needs supervision and help with some of their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as moving around, dressing, bathing, grooming, or going to the bathroom.
Assisted living facilities organize activities, provide meal preparation and housekeeping, and provide assistance with people’s activities of daily living (ADLs).
They also offer more independence with private apartments or shared suites.
Unfortunately, not all assisted living facilities offer Alzheimer’s care.
Assisted living facilities that provide specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s are sometimes referred to as Memory Care Residences.
These residences have caregivers trained in how to deal with people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and provide extra safety measures.
Home Care
If your loved one wants to stay in their own home and doesn’t need extensive medical care, home care can help them be as comfortable and independent as possible.
Home care agencies offer tailored care for your loved one’s needs, including help with their activities of daily living (ADLs), companion care, transportation, meal prep, and light housekeeping.
Now let’s look at the cost of each type of care.
Cost of Different Types of Care
All Alzheimer’s patients will face the costs for medical treatment, medical or safety equipment/services, and prescription medications.
From there, the cost of care will vary depending on where you live and what type of care you receive.
Cost of Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are the most expensive type of care, but they do not usually charge more for Alzheimer’s care than for all other types of care since the facility is equipped to deal with any medical needs your loved one may have.
According to Genworth, the national median monthly cost is $7,908 for a semi-private room and $9,034 for a private room.
In California, the cost is even higher, with the median monthly cost being $9,794 for a semi-private room and $12,167 for a private room.
While sharing a room can help reduce the cost, this is not always possible depending on whether the residence has semi-private rooms available and the person’s symptoms, such as aggression.
Because of the cost, most families will wait to turn to this type of care until their loved one needs around-the-clock medical care.
Cost of Assisted Living
The national median monthly cost is $4,500 for assisted living facilities, and California’s median monthly cost is $5,250.
Unfortunately, this average does not show the entire cost because memory care residences in California are around 20% to 30% more expensive than the average cost of assisted living.
In-Home Alzheimer’s Care Costs
Home care services do not charge a higher rate for those with Alzheimer’s. Home care is offered for as few or as many hours as needed, making the time required the biggest factor for cost.
According to Genworth, the national median hourly cost for non-medical home care services that help your loved ones with their activities of daily living is $27, and California’s median hourly cost is $32.
To help reduce costs, it is ideal to maximize the help you can get from family or friends and to use the lowest level of professional care available for as long as possible.
Why Home Care is the Best Option
Home care can help support families that want to care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s.
More Affordable
Home care can be much more affordable than nursing homes or assisted living facilities because instead of a flat full-time rate, you only pay for the hours you need care.
You can use home care for daily care and supervision or use home care for respite care only as needed.
Comfort of Remaining in their Home
Moving to a new place is hard for anyone but can be particularly disorienting for those with Alzheimer’s. Home care allows seniors to age in place even as they lose some independence and require more assistance.
They get the familiarity of being in their own home while also ensuring that they are properly cared for. This provides peace of mind for both you and your loved one.
Home caregivers also ensure that their environment is comfortable by helping with laundry, cleaning, and meal preparation.
Personalized Care
Home care is by far the most flexible type of care. Not only do you determine when you need home care, but the home care services are tailored to the individual’s needs.
Caregivers can provide transportation and help with their activities of daily living, including bathing and grooming.
Many home care services also offer specialized Alzheimer’s care with caregivers trained to know how to deal with the varying symptoms of the disease.
Caregivers can also provide companionship and social interaction.
One-on-One Care
Unlike other forms of care, home care is one-on-one. In addition to the benefits this has on companionship, it also ensures they are constantly monitored and getting their caregiver’s full attention.
Level of Care Changes with the Person’s Need
Another benefit of home care is that the level of care and frequency of care can change as the individual’s Alzheimer’s progresses.
Home care agencies are able to monitor and assess individuals so they can recommend when their care plan needs to be updated. They tailor their services accordingly.
Easier for Loved Ones to Be There
Finally, home care can make it easier for you to be there for your loved one. It is often easier to visit at home than for you to visit a residential facility.
Families, friends, and the client themselves will all feel more comfortable coming together in the home as opposed to setting a schedule with a company and getting limited visitation time in an impersonal facility.
For help caring for a loved one, check out our posts on: Caring for Someone with Dementia and When Dementia Patients Don’t Want Help.
Hire Pacific Angels Home Care for In-Home Alzheimer’s Care in California
Pacific Angels Home Care specializes in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
We can help you care for your loved one and be a support system to help you avoid caregiver burnout. We are available for as few or as many hours as you need.
Our experienced caregivers can help with meal preparation, cleaning, and medication reminders. We can help your loved ones remember doctor’s appointments and provide safe transportation.
Our trained caregivers can help your loved one move around, which decreases the risk of falls and help your loved one with other activities of daily living, including going to the bathroom, bathing, and grooming.
We also provide companionship and social interaction.
For those in the Aptos, Monterey Bay, or Santa Cruz area, give us a call today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to request a consultation for a customized plan to calculate your in-home Alzheimer’s care cost!
