Question 3 Works Cited

Pickett, Marcus. "CARE FACILITIES VS. IN-HOME CARE." After Fifty Living: Alzheimer's Care Facilities vs. Alzheimer's In-Home Care. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.afterfiftyliving.com/yournest/seniorliving/Alzheimer_s_Care_Facilities_vs__Alzheimer_s_In_Home_Care/>.

"Rising problem comes with rising costs." Disease State Management 1 Sept. 1999. Academic OneFile. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.

Rochman, Bonnie, Maia Szalavitz, and Alice Park. "Cost of Alzheimer's Care in the U.S. in 2012: $200 Billion." Time. Time. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://healthland.time.com/2012/03/08/cost-of-alzheimers-care-in-the-u-s-in-2012-200-billion/>.

Question 3 Paragraph

Living with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease is hard and paying for it is getting even harder. The Alzheimer’s Association has “estimated [that the disease will cost] $200 billion in 2012” (Rochman). Rising care costs have a big effect on families. Financial problems can bring a family down when “the average lifetime cost of caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is $174,000” (“Rising”). Some people don’t have that kind of money to take care of their family member(s). Even though health insurance companies such as “Medicare and Medicaid [that] together pay for 70%, or $140 billion, of the cost of Alzheimer’s disease” (Rochman) the family still has to pitch in a little bit and that can be difficult. It becomes even more difficult when the family caring for the patient doesn’t make enough money for their own family or has lost a job due to the state that the economy is currently in. Some people even “[give] up their job to devote themselves to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s” (Rochman). The expenses that add up from caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging to keep up with and “as people live longer, the cases of Alzheimer's disease is [going] to skyrocket, almost doubling every 20 years” (Pickett).

Works Sited Page

·         “Home & Personal Safety” Alzheimer’s disease research American Health Assistance Foundation, A Program of the American Health Assistance Foundation

·         Alderman, Lesley “Deciding on Care for Elderly Parents in Declining Health” March 13, 2010, New York edition

·           “Dementia Care Practice Recommendations for Assisted Living Residences and Nursing Homes”  Alzheimer’s Association Campaign for Quality Residential Care

Q'2 Final Paragraph

How safe are Nursing facilities and personal residence for people with Alzheimer's?

If you’re in this situation, you already know there is no easy solution. The majority of senior citizens have unique medical and/or emotional problems. Money and time are the main points in determining the type of care that will be provided. According to the New York Times article “Deciding on Care for Elderly Parents in Declining Health” there are questions that need to be answered. It is important to have in mind if the home is still safe.  If your parent is living at home, he or she probably wants to stay there. If that’s the case, you will to need to hire an a home health aide and/or personal care attendant.  Another option would be assisted living.  Even if parents (Alzheimer’s patients) insist on remaining in the home, doing so may not be in their best interests. A parent in failing health or somehow impaired is not the only one in jeopardy; other family members may be under a lot of stress, too. It can also be lonely and isolating for a parent to stay at home alone (Alderman). According to the “Alzheimer’s Association Campaign for Quality Residential Care” and the ‘American Health Assistance Foundation” the care of Alzheimer’s patients, such as those in nursing facilities or those living in their personal residences, really depends on two specific areas - food and safety. To ensure good care in nursing homes, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages nursing homes to implement some strategies pertaining to quality of care.  These might include having staff members work directly addressing the patient’s needs and offering extra training or education to all levels of care staff. In a personal residence, it is important to have extra safety precautions in place as some Alzheimer’s patient do not have professional care. Some of these should include having emergency phone numbers easily accessible, locks on windows and doors, smoke detectors, and safety devices such as handrails and grab bars.  Also important would be the elimination of toxic substances in the residence and a safe place for medications.  

           

Q'2
How safe are Nursing facilities and personal residence for people with Alzheimer's?

If you’re in this situation, you know already there is no easy solution. Seniors each one have an unique medical and emotional needs. And money is the main important point in determining the type of care that will be provided. According to the New York Times article “Deciding on Care for Elderly Parents in Declining Health” there are questions that need to be answered.

IS HOME STILL SAFE? If your parent is living at home, he or she probably wants to stay there. If that’s the case, you need to hire an expert.
COMPARE COSTS - Add up the costs that would be involved in keeping your parent at home, including home upgrades, caregivers, rent, mortgage payments and taxes. Factor in what long term care insurance will cover.
WHAT FAMILIES CAN AFFORD? Ultimately, it may all come down to money. Find out how much your parent has and if he or she bought long-term care insurance
THE ASSISTED-LIVING OPTION- Even if parents insist on remaining in the home, doing so may not be in their best interests. A parent in failing health or somehow impaired is not the only one in jeopardy; other family members may be under a lot of stress, too. It can also be lonely and isolating for a parent to stay at home. (Lesley Alderman)

According to the “Alzheimer’s Association Campaign for Quality Residential Care”, the Care of Alzheimer’s patients in a nursing home depends on the extend of two specific areas: focuses on the basics of a good care such as what type of food is in their menu and the amount and type of fluid consumed; also such as the safety of the patients which involves preventing, wandering, falling and having to be physically restrained as well as providing a very safe environment. To ensure good care in nursing homes, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages nursing homes to implement 4 strategies: Advocating with direct care providers ; For quality assurance, working with federal and state policy makers is essential; Offer additional training and education to all levels of care staff; Utilize the “Alzheimer’s Association CareFinder”, Online guide to help consumers in recognize and choose the best options for their care. (Alzheimer’s Association Campaign for Quality Residential Care)

According to the” American Health Assistance Foundation”   Precautions for home care include having emergency phone numbers, locks for windows, doors , toxic substances, medications and alcohol. Smoke detectors, safety devices such as handrails, grab bars. Removing potential hazards such as weapons, plastic bags and power tools. (Alzheimer’s disease research American Health Assistance Foundation)