According to the national Alzheimer's Association, in 2013, 15.5 million family and friends provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Also, Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers had $9.3 billion in additional health care costs of their own in the same year. Nearly 60 percent of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high, and more than one-third report symptoms of depression. Remember, this is just the cost for caregivers.
还有可能破产的医疗和其他疾病的人的破产成本。阿尔茨海默氏症的协会和ADEAR Center, which is the Alzheimer's research arm of the National Institute on Aging, have suggestions that can help.
Below are some tips from these agencies and other sources:
1. Obtain help from a good financial planner. This person should be well informed about the costs of Alzheimer's disease and of Medicaid law in your state. Financial planners can help you look for potential resources, find tax deductions and guide you in investments or trusts that may help make your money last longer. Be certain to validate the credentials and experience of the financial planner you choose.
2. An elder law attorney could also be a valuable addition to your team. This person could help your family decide how to plan for the enormous cost of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia care. Common dementia care costs include ongoing medical treatment for Alzheimer's-related symptoms, diagnosis and follow-up visits, standard medical treatment, safety-related expenses in the form of home modifications, and prescription drugs. Also, you may need advice about paying for help in the form of in-home care providers, adult day care, assisted living and/or nursing home care. As with the financial planner, check the background and experience of the elder law attorney you choose to help you with this important step.
3. TheNational Institute on Aging（nia）有一个优秀的信息小册子列表，您可以下载或订购。小册子的范围从“关于支付护理家庭护理”到“金钱问题”，“帮助痴呆症的人解决财务问题”和“阿尔茨海默病的人民法律和财务规划”。所有人都是免费的或非常便宜的，所以一定要浏览NIA网站。利用这些资源。
4. For those already caught up in the expensive drug treatments for early stage Alzheimer's, there's some new information that's not only important for your loved one's health but one that can save you significant money. Studies have shown that many drugs given in early to mid-stage Alzheimer's are no longer helpful and may even be harmful to those in later stages. Yet, many doctors keep prescribing them. The problem is, not only are these drugs expensive, the side effects may cause fainting, falls, urinary tract infections, additional confusion and other issues that people with Alzheimer's don't need worsened. For more on that topic see Medications Should Be Carefully Controlled as Alzheimer's Advances.
5. Take advantage of low-cost and free community services. Your local Area Agency on Aging can help. Search theEldercare Locatorfor services in your area. The Alzheimer's Association, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, your church, local block nurse organizations where available and the Meals-on-Wheels program are all possible resources for inexpensive or free help.
6. Support groups, whether online or in person, are made up of people who are or have been in your shoes. Many of these people can offer emotional and practical assistance. Just be certain to validate anything that you are told in a group since each situation is different.
不要试图通过依靠家人和朋友来旅行这个旅程。您需要他们的支持和帮助 - 毫无疑问。但是，在涉及财务时，您会做得好，利用您可以找到的所有特殊资源和体验。