Page Reviewed / Updated – August 23, 2020

Paying for Alzheimer’s Care Overview

Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and other related memory disorders and dementia affect over 5.5 million aging Americans. Depending on the stage of these diseases, individuals can require 24-hour supervision or care. This means each year in the U.S., there are billions of hours spent caring for individuals with these conditions. 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.

Types and Costs of Alzheimer’s Care

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 2019.

Alzheimer’s 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, as of 2019, this figure ranges from $16 to $28 / hour with a national average of $21 / hour for home care services.  Home health care is just slightly higher ranging from $16 to $30 / hour and a national average of $21.  See each states’ average home care costs.

Alzheimer’s Care in Senior Living / 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, Dementia Care Facilities, or Alzheimer’s Care Units. 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 wing, informed security guards, or electronic location monitoring.

Depending on one’s state of residence, assisted or senior living costs approximately $2,844 to $9,266 / month. The national average in 2019 is $4,000/ month. The cost of Alzheimer’s care in assisted living communities is approximately $1,000 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 2019, the national average amount paid for a shared room in a skilled nursing facility is $245 / day or $7,441 / month. State daily averages range from $153 – $963. Sharing a residence reduces the cost to 80-90% of that for a private room. Unfortunately, sharing a room is not always an option for persons with aggressive forms of dementia. See each states’ average nursing home care costs.

Alzheimer’s Care at Adult Day Care Centers

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 2019 is $72. Assuming 22 days of care per month, this works out to approximately $1,584 / 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 $200 – $400 / month for their medications.

Payment Options / Financial Assistance for Alzheimer’s Care

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.

Medicare’s Benefits for Alzheimer’s & Dementia

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 extra 80 days.  If an individual with Alzheimer’s requires care in a psychiatric hospital, Medicare increases the number of days they will provide assistance up to 190 days.

Medicare does not pay for personal care at home or in assisted living and its nursing home benefits are limited to 100 days.

Medicare does not pay for custodial or personal care that is provided in an assisted living residence. But it will pay for medical care provided in that location. The same applies for home care and adult day care. Personal care services, assistance with the activities of daily living and supervision that are typically necessary for Alzheimer’s patients are not covered. But medical care is covered.  There is an exception to this for individuals receiving hospice care at home.  Medicare will pay for homemaker services, which includes personal assistance for individuals determined to be in the final 6 months of their life.

Medigap plans, or Medicare Supplementary Insurance, does not specifically provide additional benefits for Alzheimer’s patients. But it does offer supplemental assistance. For example, these policies usually pay the 20% of the cost of nursing home care that Medicare does not pay.

New in 2019, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are able to offer some long-term care services and supports as a supplemental health benefit, given they:

  • Compensate for physical impairments
  • Diminish the impact of injuries or health conditions
  • Reduce avoidable emergency room utilization

Examples of potentially available benefits, which can be very instrumental for persons with Alzheimer’s, include:

  • Adult day care
  • Home modifications (wheelchair ramps, grab bars)
  • Personal emergency response systems
  • Respite care
  • Personal care assistance
  • Homemaker services
  • Meal delivery

In 2020, MA plans are further expanding their supplemental benefits to assist chronically ill persons. These benefits offer a fairly large degree of flexibility. The requirement being that with the receipt of benefits, the care recipient has a decent chance of improvement in health or functioning, or at least maintaining the same level of health and functioning. The new benefits can be customized to the specific needs of MA plan enrollees. For instance, a senior with Alzheimer’s disease may be able to receive wandering support services.

Medicaid & HCBS 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. 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, the homes of relatives, and sometimes in adult foster care homes and assisted or senior living residences. Almost all Medicaid Waivers have both financial eligibility requirements and requirements that the participant have functional limitations. Very few, require a specific diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Instead, they consider one’s ability or inability to care for themselves by accessing their ability to perform their activities of daily living. From a functional perspective, mid to late stage Alzheimer’s patients typically qualify for Medicaid benefits quite easily.

For more information on Medicaid and each states’ waivers, please use the following links: General Medicaid, Home Care Waivers, Assisted Living Waivers, Adult Day Care Waivers, and Adult Foster Care Waivers.

State Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs for Alzheimer’s

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.

Alaska Adult Day Services
Alaska Senior In-Home (SIH) Services
Alaska Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Mini-Grants
Delaware Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Day Treatment
Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
Kentucky Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Respite Program
New Jersey Alzheimer’s Adult Day Care Services
North Carolina Project C.A.R.E.
North Carolina Special Assistance Adult Care Home Special Care Unit Program
Oregon Project Independence
Vermont Dementia Care Respite
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, in an adult day care center, or sometimes in an assisted living residence or other residential setting. 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. 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 also federally funded programs that provide reduced rate or free respite care, such as the Lifespan Respite Care, 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 Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program.

Non-Profits and Foundation Assistance for Alzheimer’s

Three 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. 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.  Hilarity for Charity is a newer organization that offers respite care grants as well.

Assistance for Veterans with Alzheimer’s

While the VA does not have programs specifically for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s, there are benefits available through other VA programs that are available and relevant to veterans with these conditions.  A pension benefit known as Aid and Attendance can provide the greatest amount of financial assistance. Up to approximately 2,230 / month in some cases. There is also VA Respite Care and other assistance available through Veterans’ Directed Home and Community Based Services

Using Reverse Mortgages for Alzheimer’s Care

The decision on whether or not to use one’s home, through a reverse mortgage, to help pay for care is not an easy one.  In many cases, it does not make good economic sense, but in other situations it does.

The two most important factors when considering a reverse mortgage to pay for Alzheimer’s care are one’s marital status and their expected duration of need.

Reverse mortgages come due one year after the homeowner moves from their home.  Given that most individuals with Alzheimer’s will eventually require residential care, it becomes a question of how many years until that point.  Should one be at the early stage of the condition and won’t require residential care for 5 years, a reverse mortgage might make good sense as a funding resource for occasional assistance around the home.  However, if one might need to move within 2 years, a reverse mortgage would be considered an expensive source of funds.  The exception to this rule is when the individual with Alzheimer’s has a healthy spouse who will continue to live in the home when the spouse with Alzheimer’s moves into a care facility.  In this situation, a reverse mortgage could be a sound decision. 

Life Insurance Conversions

Life insurance policies can be exchanged for Alzheimer’s care services. This allows the policyholder to receive money for care and maintain the option for Medicaid eligibility.

Holders of life insurance policies have several ways they can use their policy to help pay for Alzheimer’s care while the individual is still living.  Their first option, for when the policyholder has a limited life expectancy, is to go to the company that issued the policy and request accelerated death benefits or a death benefit loan.  The second option is to sell the policy.  The buyers will pay a lump sum, take over the monthly payments and collect the death benefit when the individual passes away.  A third option, which offers the highest value for life insurance policies, is to exchange the policy for care services.  For example, an intermediary organization will determine the policy’s value and convert that into a specific number of months or years at a residential care facility. There are several other benefits to this approach. Learn more here.

Alzheimer’s Care Loans

For persons with a short-term need for senior care financing, these loans are a good option.  They are most appropriately used when a family is waiting on additional financing.  As an example, a family might be receiving veterans’ benefits for Alzheimer’s care, but has to wait 9 months to get through the veterans claims backlog.  Or perhaps they can afford care, but will be paying for it with the proceeds of a home sale.  For more information on the fees and the other pros and cons for these loans, click here.

Assistance for 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 also learn more about Prescription Assistance Programs.

Alzheimer’s Resource Locator Tool

Our website’s database contains information on over 300 programs that provide financial assistance or reduce the cost of caring for the elderly. Many of these programs are specifically applicable to those suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia or other related memory disorders. One can search specifically for programs relevant to them by entering their demographic information into our Resource Locator Tool.

Eldercare Financial Assistance Locator

  • Discover all of your options
  • Search over 400 Programs

Alzheimer’s Costs by State

The table below contains the average cost by state for Alzheimer’s Care in assisted living residences. The first column is sorted alphabetically and the second column is sorted from the least to the most expensive state. Please note that the District of Columbia is also included in this table.

2019 Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Cost by State
Alphabetically Per Month Least to Most Costly Per Month
Alabama $4210 Idaho $3768
Alaska $6300 Montana $3800
Arizona $4710 Georgia $3857
Arkansas $5048 Florida $3902
California $4595 Utah $3992
Colorado $4767 Tennessee $4007
Connecticut $6047 Michigan $4076
District of Columbia $7847 Louisiana $4080
Delaware $5410 South Carolina $4162
Florida $3902 Washington $4175
Georgia $3857 Mississippi $4187
Hawaii $6672 Alabama $4210
Idaho $3768 New Mexico $4223
Illinois $5178 Wisconsin $4386
Indiana $4486 South Dakota $4395
Iowa $5047 Virginia $4396
Kansas $4863 Oregon $4428
Kentucky $4894 North Carolina $4455
Louisiana $4080 Indiana $4486
Maine $6750 Pennsylvania $4506
Maryland $4637 Texas $4534
Massachusetts $5900 California $4595
Michigan $4076 Oklahoma $4612
Minnesota $4813 Maryland $4637
Mississippi $4187 Arizona $4710
Missouri $5030 Colorado $4767
Montana $3800 Ohio $4787
Nebraska $5741 Minnesota $4813
New Hampshire $5533 Kansas $4868
New Jersey $5578 West Virginia $4882
New Mexico $4223 Kentucky $4894
New York $5530 Missouri $5030
North Carolina $4455 Iowa $5047
North Dakota $5800 Arkansas $5048
Ohio $4787 Rhode Island $5100
Oklahoma $4612 Illinois $5178
Oregon $4428 Wyoming $5300
Pennsylvania $4506 Delaware $5410
Rhode Island $5100 New York $5530
South Carolina $4162 New Hampshire $5533
South Dakota $4395 New Jersey $5578
Tennessee $4007 Nebraska $5741
Texas $4534 North Dakota $5800
Utah $3992 Massachusetts $5900
Vermont $7071 Connecticut $6047
Virginia $4396 Alaska $6300
Washington $4175 Hawaii $6672
West Virginia $4882 Maine $6750
Wisconsin $4386 Vermont $7071
Wyoming $5300 District of Columbia $7847