50+ Lifestyles

Spotlight on Alzheimer’s: A National Crisis and a Family Burden

By Marie A. Wisely
Choice Home Health Care, CPHQ-Agency Administrator

In researching Alzheimer’s, I was surprised to find it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. What is unique aboutAlzheimer’s is it’s the only top 10 cause of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow the progression. Additionally, it has the lowest number of dollars spent on
research. According to National Institutes Of Health (2014), “The amount spent on the major diseases includes over $6 billion a year on cancer research, over $4 billion on heart disease research and over $3 billion on HIV/AIDS research. But it spends only $480 million onAlzheimer’s research. This has to change.” (Cost of Care). According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2010), “From 2010 to 2050, the total costs of care for  Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease will increase five-fold, from $172 billion to $1.08 trillion per year. These dollar amounts  represent the direct costs of care to all types of payers, including insurance companies, families.” (Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease).

Until insurance companies give Alzheimer’s and dementia related diseases the much needed resources, the cost of health services and the day to day burden of taking care of a loved one will be placed squarely on the family members shoulders. Because the disease steals a person’s memory and other cognitive ability, caring for oneself independently is not possible. One effective health care option is using the assistance of home care service. Rather than placing the person in a hospital or care facility. home care allows a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia to stay in his or her own home where they are more comfortable. Home care can also be of great assistance to family caregivers. Common in-home services include;

• Companion services, which provide supervision, visiting and recreational activities such as completing puzzles, looking at pictures and playing games.
• Personal care services such as; help with bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, or other personal care.
• Homemaker services: Help with housekeeping, shopping or meal preparation.
• Skilled care: wound care, injections and other medical needs by a licensed health professional.

Choice Home Health Care, Inc. specializes in caring for the Alzheimer and/or dementia patient. Our care providers receive targeted education on the disease, its signs, symptoms and traditional and holistic therapeutic options. Additionally, our management staff have attended training which  simulates the symptoms of the disease and found this perspective was invaluable. We at Choice Home Health Care, Inc. have a passion for caring for the Alzheimer and dementia patient and believe that in the future this terrible disease can be slowed and patients can live fuller longer lives.
Contact Choice Home Health Care at 563-345-6530 or visit our website and Facebook at www.choicehhc.com.

References
1. National Institutes of Health. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/documents/factbook/2012/chapter4data
2. Alzheimer’s Association. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_trajectory.asp.