Alzheimer's Cost Triple That of Other Elderly

The health care costs of Alzheimer's disease patients are more than triple those of other older people, and that doesn't even include the billions of hours of unpaid care from family members, a new report suggests.

Compared with people aged 65 and older without Alzheimer's, those with the mind-destroying disease are much more often hospitalized and treated in skilled-nursing centers. Their medical costs also often include nursing home care and Medicare-covered home health visits.

That all adds up to at least $33,007 in annual costs per patient, compared with $10,603 for an older person without Alzheimer's, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Alzheimer's Association.

The numbers are based on 2004 data and include average per-person Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance costs.

Costs likely have grown since then as the U.S population has aged and the number of Alzheimer's diagnoses has risen, said Angela Geiger, the Alzheimer's Association chief strategy officer.

According to the group's report, nearly 10 million caregivers — mostly family members — provided 8.5 billion hours of unpaid care for Alzheimer's patients last year.

"All of these statistics paint a really grim picture of what's going to happen ... unless we invest in solutions" to delay or prevent the disease, Geiger said.

This week a Senate committee will hear from an independent coalition of experts that has been working on a strategy for dealing with the growing Alzheimer's population.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans have the disease; by next year nearly half a million new cases will be diagnosed, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

As the disease progresses, people lose the ability to care for themselves and need help with eating, bathing, dressing and other daily activities. Eventually, they may need help with breathing and swallowing.

From 2000 to 2006, while deaths from heart disease, stroke, breast and prostate cancer declined, Alzheimer's deaths rose 47 percent.

Geiger said those trends reflect improved treatments for other diseases, while there are no treatments that can slow or prevent Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's Help in Anne Arundel County West, Maryland

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brenda Pope, owner of ComForcare Senior Services in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

What do you do when you are the main caregiver for your Alzheimer's loved one and something happens to you? Who will help out at this point? Brenda has the answer!

Listen to the short interview for more information. If you or someone you know has Alzheimer's, needs help and lives in the Anne Arundel County area in Maryland, please give Brenda a call.

888-672-8906 or http://www.comforcare.com

Enjoy!

Ways To Keep Your Alzheimer's Loved One In The Home

There are many ways of helping our loved one with Alzheimer's. It doesn't have to break the bank for them. By hiring an adult day service which averages about $64.00 a day. (you need to search in your own living area). There is also in-home non-medical daytime assistance, which could run about $18.00 an hour, or in-home health aide (about $20.00). We found ComForcare Senior Services to be a great service.

Medicare will also help with in-home medical help for short term, which is prescribed by your doctor. Check medicare.gov to find local medicare certified in-home health care agencies.

Medicaid rules vary by state. The program may cover home care of day services if your 65 plus parent is nursing-home eligible and meets low-income requirements. Check govbenefits.gov for details.

You may also want to consult an elder-care attorney to discuss asset-management planning. This is important as your Alzheimer's loved one health declines. You can search National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys' at naela.com. Learn where your parents keep financial documents and medical information. This will help avoid costly mistakes. Check mymoney.gov for a detailed list for financial-planning.

Other ways to lower expenses for your Alzheimer's loved one is to look into your local senior programs, which are provided in your own city. For example, utility companies may offer a break on energy bills, just give them a call and ask. Also, church or synagogue volunteer programs to provide a companion to keep your loved one company periodically. Some senior centers may offer a couple of hours of relief, so your Alzheimer's loved one can interact with others while you run errands. Just inquire in your local city.

Some areas offer transportation services. These are not taxis, they are door to door access vans that charge a minimal fee.

A few of these things could surely help keep your Alzheimer's loved one stay in their homes for as long as possible.

Alzheimer's Stages: How The Disease Progresses

Alzheimer's stages — common behaviors as the disease progresses.

Alzheimer's disease typically develops slowly and causes a gradual decline in cognitive abilities, usually over a span of seven to 10 years. It eventually affects nearly all brain functions, including memory, movement, language, behavior, judgment and abstract reasoning.

Dividing the progression of Alzheimer's disease into stages can help you plan for the future, but remember that not everyone will experience the same symptoms or progress at the same rate. While each individual is different, the progression of his or her disease can be roughly divided into three stages — mild, moderate and severe.

Mild Alzheimer's disease

People in the early stage of Alzheimer's may experience memory loss, lapses of judgment and subtle changes in personality. They often have decreased attention span and less motivation to complete tasks. In addition, they may resist change and new challenges, and get lost even in familiar places.

While everyone occasionally forgets words or names during conversations, this problem occurs with increasing frequency in people with mild Alzheimer's. They may substitute or make up words that sound like or mean something like the forgotten word. They sometimes even avoid talking to keep from making mistakes and appear subdued or withdrawn — especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

They may also put things in very odd places. For example, a wallet may end up in the freezer, or clothes may go into the dishwasher. They may ask repetitive questions or hoard things of no value. When frustrated or tired, they may become uncharacteristically angry.

Moderate Alzheimer's disease

In the middle stage of Alzheimer's, people can't organize thoughts or follow logical explanations. They lose the ability to follow written instructions and often need help choosing proper clothing for the season or occasion. Eventually, they'll require help getting dressed because their confusion may cause them to put their pajamas on over their daytime clothes or their shoes on the wrong feet. They may also have episodes of urinary or fecal incontinence.

It's usually during this stage that people start having problems recognizing family members and friends. They may mix up identities — thinking a son is a brother or that a spouse is a stranger. They may become confused about where they are and what day, season or year it is. They become unable to recall their address or phone number.

Because they lack judgment and tend to wander, people with moderate Alzheimer's disease aren't safe on their own. They may exhibit restless, repetitive movements in late afternoon, or continually repeat certain stories, words or motions, such as tearing tissues.

Problems with communication worsen during the moderate stage of Alzheimer's. This can lead to a variety of challenging behaviors, including:

Paranoia that sometimes provokes accusations of infidelity or stealing
Agitation, frustration or anger that can lead to cursing, kicking, hitting, biting, screaming or grabbing.

Severe Alzheimer's disease

People in the last stage of Alzheimer's require help with all their daily needs. They lose the ability to walk without assistance and then the ability to sit up without support. They are usually incontinent and may no longer speak coherently. They rarely recognize family members. Swallowing difficulties can cause choking, and they may refuse to eat.

How long?

The rate of progression varies widely among individuals. For some, severe dementia occurs within five years of diagnosis. For others, it can take more than a decade. On average, people with Alzheimer's live for eight to 10 years after diagnosis. Some live as long as 20 years. Most people with Alzheimer's don't die of the disease itself, but of pneumonia, a urinary tract infection or complications from a fall.

Content provided by MayoClinic.com

I Miss My Dad

Last night I went to see my dad and it probably wasn't the best time to see him considering the fact that he was tired. He isn't so clear about things that he tends to be better about during the day. As, I sat next to him, he looked at me with this blank stare in his eyes. He didn't mind that I was sitting in the love seat with him but I knew he didn't really know who I was. I just acted normal as if nothing was wrong. I didn't question him either. I just wanted him to know that I was there and I came only to see him.

A few days prior, my mom took her sister, Jean, to go visit. My dad, prior to the Alzheimer's, has always been so kind to Jean. She really has always loved him dearly because he has always been so good to her. This was the first time Jean has seen him in the new home. He was welcoming to her even though he may not remember how he knows her. He even gave her a big hug (she said) and then she sat one side of him holding his hand tight as my mom sat on the other side holding his hand tight. Jean, said she fought back the tears. I think my dad sensed her vulnerability and he continued to keep a tight grip on her hand along with my mothers hand.

The staff continue to tell us that they think my dad is the sweetest man. HE IS!! He really is. He never causes trouble or has anything bad to say to anyone. He is so patient even when they shower him or brush his teeth. They really enjoy that for a change. This is nothing new. My dad has always been this way. I am grateful that he is, at least, able to keep his manors and respect when at the same time his dignity has been taken from him.

I feel really sorry for my dad that he has to suffer with this horrible Alzheimer's disease. I miss my dad.

Urgent Alert From The Alzheimer's Association CEO

I got the following from the Alzheimer's Association website and thought I'd post it here.
.................................................................................................................


It is possible that there has never been a moment in America with so much potential to either advance or diminish Alzheimer's research and care. Our nation faces unprecedented times and, with that, comes an unprecedented opportunity to seize this moment and insist our leaders make a greater investment in finding ways to effectively treat, cure, and prevent Alzheimer's disease.


There are an estimated 5 million people who already have Alzheimer's. As many as ten million people care for them. The disease has risen to the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will experience the devastating effects if we don't stop Alzheimer's now. Components of the stimulus package and health care reform could benefit them.


From March 23-25, the Alzheimer's Association will take its fight to Capitol Hill for its annual Public Policy Forum.


It is critical to our mission, to the people we serve, and to society at large to make this Public Policy Forum louder than ever. We need advocates from every state and from every congressional district. We need people with the disease, their caregivers, health care professionals, business leaders, and scientists to raise their voices and educate our policy makers so they know that an investment in Alzheimer's is an investment in the economic health of the nation and the personal health of millions.


The volunteers and staff of the Alzheimer’s Association are working hard to make as much noise as possible about key Alzheimer's issues and to make it as easy as possible for people to attend the Forum. Early-bird discounts and group discounts are available.


Please seize this moment and take an extra step this year by attending the Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum in Washington, DC, March 23 - 25. Our elected leaders need to hear your voice.


Never before has so much been at stake nor has time to help families and advance science been more precious. We need to demonstrate both in numbers and in facts why Alzheimer's matters. I look forward to seeing you, and all the others you'll recruit, in Washington.



Harry Johns
President and CEO
Alzheimer's Association



Please contact the Alzheimer's Association at info@alz.org

Alzheimer's Help in South Houston, Texas

Today I had the opportunity to talk with Marsene Boldt, owner of At Your Side Home Care in Houston, Texas. We talked about rapid changes in mental status and what we should look for or be aware of with your Alzheimer's loved one.

Listen to this short interview for full details.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, needs help and lives in the South Houston area, please give them a call.

281-335-4882
or
http://www.atyoursidehomecare.com/

Enjoy!

Alzheimer's in Twins

If Alzheimer's disease was due to genetics alone then identical twins, who share nearly identical genes, should either both avoid the disease or both get it. In fact studies of twins are beginning to reveal the extent to which environmental factors play a significant role in whether or how Alzheimer's disease starts.

Data from the Swedish Twin Registry shows that if one twin has Alzheimer's disease, 59% of the time so will the other. Whilst this is a fairly high relationship it does pose the question as to why some identical twins are susceptible and others not. Moreover, in a study following male twins who are World War II veterans, it has been found that the age of onset for Alzheimer's may differ by as much as five years in twins who are both diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Research by Brenda Plassman is directing attention to the environmental factors that might account for this critical five year margin. Factors such as blood pressure, head injury, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and occupational complexity are some of the areas for further investigation.

Ups and Downs of Alzheimer's Disease

This week my dad seems to be doing pretty good. Better than expected actually. Though, the Dr. did say he will have is ups and downs and that is typical with Alzheimer's at this stage.

We really thought, when we first put him in the group home, he was not doing well with his health and thought he'd go down hill from there. Quite the contrary, in fact. He is getting better. I ask him often if he is doing well and if he likes it there and from his expressions and body language, along with him saying "oh, yes" every time, I know that he is really happy and the staff are really taking good care of him. He is the only one who has Alzheimer's out of the 9 people living there. The other people there say my dad is a very sweet man. In deed, he is.

My mom is really happy that my dad is getting good care. Now, we need to work on her. She is trying to see if someone can come in her home, help her with some physical therapy, light house keeping and cooking. I suggested a company called ComForcare but we will see what she decides.

Soybean Product Fights Abnormal Protein Involved In Alzheimer’s Disease

A vegan food renowned in Asia for its ability to protect against heart attacks also shows a powerful ability in lab experiments to prevent formation of the clumps of tangled protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease, scientists in Taiwan are reporting.

Click here for entire story.

He Still Knows Jesus Christ

This weekend Kim, my sister who was taking care of my dad for a short time, came down to visit us. My dad doesn't have any pictures or anything in his room and we felt bad as if maybe he was feeling sad and lonely. My dad was a very religious man and had a strong love for our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Since the Alzheimer's got to a moderate stage, he no longer prayed as he may have forgotten how. Kim got a beautiful picture of Christ the Shepherd, and framed it along with some family photos and put it together in a gorgeous frame. We took it over to my dad and showed him the pictures of our family and he sat and looked at that for a really long time. He could actually name some of his children and he could pick himself out as a child (some of the photos were of him as a kid). He also recognized the picture of Jesus. My dad's roommate, Joe (who has Parkinson's) was appreciative for the picture of Christ, which is in his view from across the room, because he too is a very religious man. In fact, he was a minister for many years. I told him that he and my dad had a lot in common since my dad served as a Bishop for many years as well. He was very happy to hear that and gained much respect suddenly for my dad.

Something funny happened the day prior to that, Kim and I realized that we might be talking to him too much like a child. I think it's a natural thing you feel you have to do with Alzheimer's patients. We were telling him that we were going to go buy him new slippers for his feet and asked him if he needed anything else and if he is happy, etc. We also reintroduce ourselves a couple times through the conversation. The tone of our voice is the tone that would be used for a 4 year old. So, as we stood up to leave my dad said "you two aren't smoken anything are you?" We looked at each other and started to laugh. My dad laughed too. We assured him we don't smoke and I am sure he is not referring to cigarettes. After we got in the car, Kim and I laughed again about what he said and realized that maybe he thinks we are the ones who are cuckoo!! Could be that the tone of our voice is confusing for him. We will try a different approach for now on and see how he responds.