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Payment Options and Financial Assistance for Alzheimer's Care and Dementia Care
| Cost of Alzheimer's Care | Financial Help for Alzheimer's Care | Medicare and Alzheimer's Care |
| Find Affordable Alzheimer's Care | Alzheimer's Resource Locator Tool | Alzheimer's Care Cost by State |
Paying for Alzheimer's Care Overview
Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other related memory disorders affect over 5 million aging Americans. Depending on the stage of the disease, individuals can require 24 hour supervision or care. This means each year in the US, there are billions of hours spent caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. While the vast majority of that care is provided by friends and family members, what happens when those caregivers are not available? Who pays for Alzheimer's care? Fortunately, there are many programs that provide financial assistance, respite care and other forms of aid to help families and caregivers.
Prior to a discussion of the financial resources available to assist individuals stricken with Alzheimer's, it is helpful to understand the different types of Alzheimer's and dementia care, how they differ from regular home care or assisted living and what these services typically cost. The following information is current for year 2013.
Alzheimer's Care at Home
Caring for individuals with Alzheimer's at home is very common for those in the earlier stages of the disease though it is not unusual for those in the later stages to also receive care at home. Most home care providers do not charge higher fees for individuals with Alzheimer's, rather they have a flat rate for home care services and a slightly higher rate for home health care services. Depending on one's state this figure ranges from $14 to $28 / hour with a national average of $18 / hour. Home health care is just slightly higher ranging from $15 to $39 / hour and a national average of $19 / hour. See each states' average home care costs.
A major challenge, for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer's at home, is wandering; the tendency of individuals to leave the home, get lost and have difficulty returning. Typically residential care facilities have security which prevents wandering but private residences cannot afford this option. New products, such as this one provided by the Alzheimer's Association, use the Internet to enable real-time location monitoring of Alzheimer's patients which can greatly reduce wandering incidents and the cost of caring for an Alzheimer's patient at home.
Alzheimer's Care in Senior Living or Assisted Living Residences
Approximately 75% of senior living residences are able to accommodate individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. Often, these facilities refer to themselves as Memory Care Residences. Almost all senior or assisted living residences have security systems in place to prevent wandering. The security might be locking doors in a special Alzheimer's area, informed security guards or electronic location monitoring.
Depending on one's state of residence, assisted or senior living costs approximately $2,500 to $5,500 / month. The national average in 2013 is $3,450/ month. Alzheimer's care in assisted living communities costs approximately $1,150 more each month. See the average Alzheimer's care cost in your state.
Alzheimer's Care in Nursing Homes
Almost all nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are equipped to provide services for those stricken with Alzheimer's or dementia. Most do not charge additionally since comparatively these individuals do not require more care than other nursing home residents.
In 2013, the national average amount paid for a private room in a skilled nursing facility was $230 / day or $6,900 / month. State daily averages ranged from $152 - $701. By sharing a residence, the cost can be reduced to 80-90% of the cost for a private room.
Alzheimer's Care in Adult Day Care
Adult day care centers, like nursing homes, typically do not charge additional fees for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. However it is important to recognize that many centers are not able to accommodate individuals in the later stages of the disease.
Adult day care is typically charged by the day or half-day instead of by the hour like home care. The national average day-rate for adult day care for 2013 is $65. Assuming 22 days of care per month, this works out to approximately $1,430 / month.
Cost of Alzheimer's Medications
Regardless of the location in which the care is provided, many individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia require prescription drugs. Consumer Reports finds that the average individual with Alzheimer's pays between $150 - $200 / month for their medications.
Alzheimer's Care at Home
Caring for individuals with Alzheimer's at home is very common for those in the earlier stages of the disease though it is not unusual for those in the later stages to also receive care at home. Most home care providers do not charge higher fees for individuals with Alzheimer's, rather they have a flat rate for home care services and a slightly higher rate for home health care services. Depending on one's state this figure ranges from $14 to $28 / hour with a national average of $18 / hour. Home health care is just slightly higher ranging from $15 to $39 / hour and a national average of $19 / hour. See each states' average home care costs.
A major challenge, for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer's at home, is wandering; the tendency of individuals to leave the home, get lost and have difficulty returning. Typically residential care facilities have security which prevents wandering but private residences cannot afford this option. New products, such as this one provided by the Alzheimer's Association, use the Internet to enable real-time location monitoring of Alzheimer's patients which can greatly reduce wandering incidents and the cost of caring for an Alzheimer's patient at home.
Alzheimer's Care in Senior Living or Assisted Living Residences
Approximately 75% of senior living residences are able to accommodate individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. Often, these facilities refer to themselves as Memory Care Residences. Almost all senior or assisted living residences have security systems in place to prevent wandering. The security might be locking doors in a special Alzheimer's area, informed security guards or electronic location monitoring.
Depending on one's state of residence, assisted or senior living costs approximately $2,500 to $5,500 / month. The national average in 2013 is $3,450/ month. Alzheimer's care in assisted living communities costs approximately $1,150 more each month. See the average Alzheimer's care cost in your state.
Alzheimer's Care in Nursing Homes
Almost all nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are equipped to provide services for those stricken with Alzheimer's or dementia. Most do not charge additionally since comparatively these individuals do not require more care than other nursing home residents.
In 2013, the national average amount paid for a private room in a skilled nursing facility was $230 / day or $6,900 / month. State daily averages ranged from $152 - $701. By sharing a residence, the cost can be reduced to 80-90% of the cost for a private room.
Alzheimer's Care in Adult Day Care
Adult day care centers, like nursing homes, typically do not charge additional fees for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. However it is important to recognize that many centers are not able to accommodate individuals in the later stages of the disease.
Adult day care is typically charged by the day or half-day instead of by the hour like home care. The national average day-rate for adult day care for 2013 is $65. Assuming 22 days of care per month, this works out to approximately $1,430 / month.
Cost of Alzheimer's Medications
Regardless of the location in which the care is provided, many individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia require prescription drugs. Consumer Reports finds that the average individual with Alzheimer's pays between $150 - $200 / month for their medications.
For most families the expenses of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia are covered not by a single source but instead by contributions from a variety of sources. Some of these resources are specifically designed for Alzheimer's patients and others are of a more general nature. Prior to a discussion of financial assistance programs it is helpful to understand the related benefits of commonly held insurance programs.
Medicare and Alzheimer's Care
There is not a simple answer to the question "does Medicare pay for Alzheimer's care?". Medicare, like most health insurance, does not differentiate Alzheimer's and dementia care from other conditions such as heart disease. Instead, Medicare has certain policies with regards to when and how much it will pay for care. For example, Medicare will pay for 100% of the cost of nursing home care if it is medically necessary for 20 days and 80% of the cost for an additional 80 days. Medicare does not pay for custodial or personal care that is provided in an assisted living residence but will pay for medical care provided in that location. The same applies for home care and adult day care; personal care services, or assistance with the activities of daily living which is typically necessary for Alzheimer's patients is not covered but medical care is covered.
Medigap or Medicare Supplementary Insurance does not specifically provide additional benefits for Alzheimer's patients but does offer supplemental assistance. For example, these policies usually pay the 20% of the cost of nursing home care that Medicare does not pay.
Medicaid, Medicaid Waivers and Alzheimer's Care
Medicaid is a state and federally funded health insurance program for low income families and the elderly. Each state administers their Medicaid programs separately and therefore each state offers different benefits with regards to caring for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. Medicaid Waivers are state programs that allow individuals to receive care outside of nursing homes. Instead of requiring institutionalization, Medicaid Waiver participants can receive care, paid for by Medicaid, in their homes, communities and sometimes in assisted or senior living residences. Almost all Medicaid Waivers have both financial eligibility requirements and requirements that the participant have functional limitations. Very few, if any, require a diagnosis of Alzheimer's instead they consider one's ability or inability to care for themselves. Read more about Medicaid and the Medicaid Waivers available in each state.
State Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
There are many state-funded or state-managed assistance programs that are designed for low income individuals that require assistance with activities of daily living. While not specifically designed for Alzheimer's patients, given that many Alzheimer's patient are not working, have low incomes and require daily assistance, it is fairly common for these individuals to qualify for these programs. See a complete list of state non-Medicaid assistance programs.
In addition to the more generalized assistance programs, several states have programs designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia or related conditions. Unlike the programs described above, these programs usually don't consider an individual's financial income or assets as an eligibility factor. They simply require a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, dementia or other related memory disorder to qualify for the program.
-California Alzheimer's Day Care
-Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
-North Carolina Project C.A.R.E.
-Oregon Project Independence
-West Virginia Family Alzheimer’s In-Home Respite
-Wisconsin Alzheimer's Family & Caregiver Support
Respite Care for Alzheimer's Caregivers
Respite care is temporary assistance provided to the primary caregiver to allow them a break from caring for an individual with Alzheimer's or dementia. It can be provided in the home or in an adult day care center. Respite care is sometimes provided free of charge or other times at a greatly reduced hourly rate. There are many different organizations and programs offering respite care services and it is worth noting that often times these are home care companies selling home care and marketing it as respite care even though they are charging the full hourly rate.
There are federally funded programs that provide reduced rate or free respite care such as the Lifespan Respite Care and the National Family Caregiver Support Program as well as programs specific to individual states including Florida's Project R.E.L.I.E.F., New Jersey's Statewide Respite Care and Oklahoma Respite Resource.
Non-Profits and Foundation Assistance for Alzheimer's Care
Two national organizations offer various levels of support and respite care programs for Alzheimer's patients and their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers “Family Respite Care Grants” by funding local, non-profit, member organizations. These member organizations work directly with the families to administer the grants. It is worth noting that local organizations sometimes combine funds with other sources and therefore the name “Family Respite Care Grants” may not always be used. The Alzheimer’s Association has a respite care program as well. One can read more about both organizations on our non-profit Alzheimer's care page.
Financial Assistance for Alzheimer's Medications
Most pharmaceutical companies offer prescription assistance programs, sometimes called PAPs, for individuals that require a prescription but cannot afford the cost of the drug. Medications are provided free of charge or if an individual has insurance, the pharmaceutical company may waive the co-payment costs. To find financial assistance for Alzheimer's medications, individuals should write down the name of all their Alzheimer's medications and search the database of assistance programs at this website. One can learn more about Prescription Assistance Programs.
Medicare and Alzheimer's Care
There is not a simple answer to the question "does Medicare pay for Alzheimer's care?". Medicare, like most health insurance, does not differentiate Alzheimer's and dementia care from other conditions such as heart disease. Instead, Medicare has certain policies with regards to when and how much it will pay for care. For example, Medicare will pay for 100% of the cost of nursing home care if it is medically necessary for 20 days and 80% of the cost for an additional 80 days. Medicare does not pay for custodial or personal care that is provided in an assisted living residence but will pay for medical care provided in that location. The same applies for home care and adult day care; personal care services, or assistance with the activities of daily living which is typically necessary for Alzheimer's patients is not covered but medical care is covered.
Medigap or Medicare Supplementary Insurance does not specifically provide additional benefits for Alzheimer's patients but does offer supplemental assistance. For example, these policies usually pay the 20% of the cost of nursing home care that Medicare does not pay.
Medicaid, Medicaid Waivers and Alzheimer's Care
Medicaid is a state and federally funded health insurance program for low income families and the elderly. Each state administers their Medicaid programs separately and therefore each state offers different benefits with regards to caring for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. Medicaid Waivers are state programs that allow individuals to receive care outside of nursing homes. Instead of requiring institutionalization, Medicaid Waiver participants can receive care, paid for by Medicaid, in their homes, communities and sometimes in assisted or senior living residences. Almost all Medicaid Waivers have both financial eligibility requirements and requirements that the participant have functional limitations. Very few, if any, require a diagnosis of Alzheimer's instead they consider one's ability or inability to care for themselves. Read more about Medicaid and the Medicaid Waivers available in each state.
State Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
There are many state-funded or state-managed assistance programs that are designed for low income individuals that require assistance with activities of daily living. While not specifically designed for Alzheimer's patients, given that many Alzheimer's patient are not working, have low incomes and require daily assistance, it is fairly common for these individuals to qualify for these programs. See a complete list of state non-Medicaid assistance programs.
In addition to the more generalized assistance programs, several states have programs designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia or related conditions. Unlike the programs described above, these programs usually don't consider an individual's financial income or assets as an eligibility factor. They simply require a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, dementia or other related memory disorder to qualify for the program.
-California Alzheimer's Day Care
-Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
-North Carolina Project C.A.R.E.
-Oregon Project Independence
-West Virginia Family Alzheimer’s In-Home Respite
-Wisconsin Alzheimer's Family & Caregiver Support
Respite Care for Alzheimer's Caregivers
Respite care is temporary assistance provided to the primary caregiver to allow them a break from caring for an individual with Alzheimer's or dementia. It can be provided in the home or in an adult day care center. Respite care is sometimes provided free of charge or other times at a greatly reduced hourly rate. There are many different organizations and programs offering respite care services and it is worth noting that often times these are home care companies selling home care and marketing it as respite care even though they are charging the full hourly rate.
There are federally funded programs that provide reduced rate or free respite care such as the Lifespan Respite Care and the National Family Caregiver Support Program as well as programs specific to individual states including Florida's Project R.E.L.I.E.F., New Jersey's Statewide Respite Care and Oklahoma Respite Resource.
Non-Profits and Foundation Assistance for Alzheimer's Care
Two national organizations offer various levels of support and respite care programs for Alzheimer's patients and their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers “Family Respite Care Grants” by funding local, non-profit, member organizations. These member organizations work directly with the families to administer the grants. It is worth noting that local organizations sometimes combine funds with other sources and therefore the name “Family Respite Care Grants” may not always be used. The Alzheimer’s Association has a respite care program as well. One can read more about both organizations on our non-profit Alzheimer's care page.
Financial Assistance for Alzheimer's Medications
Most pharmaceutical companies offer prescription assistance programs, sometimes called PAPs, for individuals that require a prescription but cannot afford the cost of the drug. Medications are provided free of charge or if an individual has insurance, the pharmaceutical company may waive the co-payment costs. To find financial assistance for Alzheimer's medications, individuals should write down the name of all their Alzheimer's medications and search the database of assistance programs at this website. One can learn more about Prescription Assistance Programs.
Our website's database contains information on over 300 programs that provide financial assistance or reduce the cost of caring for the elderly and disabled. Many of this are specifically applicable to those suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia or other related memory disorders. One can browse the programs or search specifically for programs relevant to them by entering their demographic information into our Alzheimer's Resource Locator Tool.
The table below contains the average cost by state for Alzheimer's Care in assisted living residences. The first column is sort alphabetically and the second column is sorted from the least to the most expensive state.
|
2013 State-by-State Alzheimer's Care Costs in Senior Living Residences |
|||
|
States in Alphabetical Order |
Average Monthly Cost for Alzheimer's Care in Assisted Living Residences |
States in Order of the Cost of Care (Least to Most Expensive) |
Average Monthly Cost for Alzheimer's Care in Assisted Living Residences |
|
United States |
$4,600 |
United States |
$4,600 |
|
Alabama |
$3,750 |
Missouri |
$3,438 |
|
Alaska |
$7,150 |
Alabama |
$3,750 |
|
Arizona |
$4,500 |
Georgia |
$3,853 |
|
Arkansas |
$4,015 |
Kentucky |
$3,870 |
|
California |
$4,860 |
Michigan |
$4,000 |
|
Colorado |
$4,670 |
Nevada |
$4,000 |
|
Connecticut |
$6,150 |
North Dakota |
$4,002 |
|
Delaware |
$6,683 |
Arkansas |
$4,015 |
|
District of Columbia |
$4,650 |
Utah |
$4,038 |
|
Florida |
$4,150 |
North Carolina |
$4,050 |
|
Georgia |
$3,853 |
Oklahoma |
$4,117 |
|
Hawaii |
$5,350 |
Florida |
$4,150 |
|
Idaho |
$4,348 |
Mississippi |
$4,150 |
|
Illinois |
$5,200 |
South Carolina |
$4,150 |
|
Indiana |
$4,855 |
South Dakota |
$4,186 |
|
Iowa |
$4,300 |
Iowa |
$4,300 |
|
Kansas |
$4,640 |
Louisiana |
$4,300 |
|
Kentucky |
$3,870 |
Pennsylvania |
$4,325 |
|
Louisiana |
$4,300 |
Idaho |
$4,348 |
|
Maine |
$5,650 |
West Virginia |
$4,400 |
|
Maryland |
$4,550 |
Wyoming |
$4,450 |
|
Massachusetts |
$6,100 |
Texas |
$4,486 |
|
Michigan |
$4,000 |
Arizona |
$4,500 |
|
Minnesota |
$4,500 |
Minnesota |
$4,500 |
|
Mississippi |
$4,150 |
Nebraska |
$4,510 |
|
Missouri |
$3,438 |
Maryland |
$4,550 |
|
Montana |
$4,750 |
Kansas |
$4,640 |
|
Nebraska |
$4,510 |
District of Columbia |
$4,650 |
|
Nevada |
$4,000 |
New Mexico |
$4,668 |
|
New Hampshire |
$4,739 |
Colorado |
$4,670 |
|
New Jersey |
$7,144 |
Tennessee |
$4,675 |
|
New Mexico |
$4,668 |
Wisconsin |
$4,688 |
|
New York |
$5,100 |
New Hampshire |
$4,739 |
|
North Carolina |
$4,050 |
Montana |
$4,750 |
|
North Dakota |
$4,002 |
Indiana |
$4,855 |
|
Ohio |
$5,070 |
California |
$4,860 |
|
Oklahoma |
$4,117 |
Vermont |
$4,900 |
|
Oregon |
$5,173 |
Virginia |
$4,925 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$4,325 |
Ohio |
$5,070 |
|
Rhode Island |
$5,298 |
New York |
$5,100 |
|
South Carolina |
$4,150 |
Oregon |
$5,173 |
|
South Dakota |
$4,186 |
Illinois |
$5,200 |
|
Tennessee |
$4,675 |
Rhode Island |
$5,298 |
|
Texas |
$4,486 |
Hawaii |
$5,350 |
|
Utah |
$4,038 |
Washington |
$5,400 |
|
Vermont |
$4,900 |
Maine |
$5,650 |
|
Virginia |
$4,925 |
Massachusetts |
$6,100 |
|
Washington |
$5,400 |
Connecticut |
$6,150 |
|
West Virginia |
$4,400 |
Delaware |
$6,683 |
|
Wisconsin |
$4,688 |
New Jersey |
$7,144 |
|
Wyoming |
$4,450 |
Alaska |
$7,150 |
Page Reviewed / Updated - Apr. 2013
