We often write about the staggering cost of long-term care. However, there is a subcategory of this type of care that can be particularly expensive for families: dementia care. A recent study examined this important topic and found that the cost of dementia care often eats up much of a person’s monthly income and quickly [...]
In last week’s blog post, we shared how a home care provider’s assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) can help older people remain in their home and independent for as long as possible. But we also shared that the cost of an in-home care provider is not typically covered by Medicare; it must be [...]
A memory care assisted living community is designed to meet the unique safety and care needs of the ever-growing demographic of seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These specialized memory care retirement communities are increasing in number across the country, and around the world. But many of these communities aren’t the [...]
According to data from the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older who currently are living with Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia. A large majority of Alzheimer's patients are 75 years old or older (72 percent), and almost two out of three Alzheimer’s patients are [...]
Taking on the role of unpaid family caregiver can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. But caring for a loved one who suffers from dementia can present a unique set of challenges. In addition to the burnout and stress faced by many caregivers, dementia caregiving is rife with unpredictability, safety concerns, behavior issues, [...]
(Photo credit: snoezelen.info) Dementia, an over-arching term for memory loss and other cognitive issues that interfere with daily life, is a growing problem in the United States. From 2000 to 2017, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease (the most prevalent form of dementia) have increased by 145 percent, according to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association. In fact, [...]
On May 21, I'm scheduled to speak at River’s Edge, New York City's first and only life plan community (also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC). River’s Edge is an innovative community being developed by a not-for-profit organization called RiverSpring Health, which also operates several other senior living and senior healthcare properties [...]
There are a number of so-called “brain game” products on the market these days. These typically are computer or smartphone/tablet-based games that claim they can help improve seniors’ cognitive function and memory. But do they really work? Could playing video games be the secret to decreasing the prevalence of neuro-degenerative conditions like dementia? And what [...]
Money. Even under the best of circumstances, it’s a subject few people want to discuss…even with individuals in their own family. But as people age, it becomes important—and sometimes necessary—that the senior’s adult children or another trusted person has an understanding of their financial situation—what is sometimes referred to as “financial caregiving.” It happens too [...]
Dementia is not one specific disease. Instead, it’s a general term used to describe a decline in mental capabilities, such as memory issues, that are severe enough to affect activities of daily living (ADLs). Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for around 70 percent of diagnoses, but there are other types too, [...]
