The year 2020 saw total payments for all individuals with dementia diseases reach an estimated 305 billion dollars. This substantial sum does not include the value of informal caregivers who are uncompensated for their efforts. Of this 305 billion dollars Medicare and Medicaid are projected to cover 67 percent of the total health care and long-term care costs of people living with dementia, which accounts for about 206 billion dollars of the total cost of care. Out-of-pocket expenditure projections are 22 percent of total payments or 66 billion dollars. Other payment sources such as private insurance, other managed care organizations, as well as uncompensated care account for 11 percent of total costs or 33 billion dollars.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) cite that 27 percent of older Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who have Medicare also have Medicaid coverage. In comparison, the percentage of those Americans without dementia is 11 percent. The addition of Medicaid becomes a necessity for some as it covers nursing homes and other long-term care services for those individuals with meager income and assets. The extensive use of CMS services, particularly Medicaid, by people with dementia translates into extremely high costs. Despite the high rate of expenditure by federal social and health services, Americans living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia still incur high out-of-pocket expenses compared to beneficiaries without dementia. Much of these costs pay for Medicare, additional health insurance premiums, and associated deductibles.

alz.org

Older Americans living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia have twice the number of hospital stays per year than those without cognitive issues. Dementia patients with comorbidities such as coronary artery disease, COPD, stroke, or cancer, to name a few, have higher health care costs than those without coexisting serious medical conditions. In addition to more hospital stays, older Alzheimer’s sufferers require more home health care visits and skilled nursing facility stays per year than other older people without dementia.

Cost projections for Medicare, Medicaid, and out-of-pocket costs for Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia continue to increase. The average life span of an American with Alzheimer’s is 6 -8 years, and as the disease progresses, so do the requirements of care and support. This care and support include medical treatment, prescription medications, medical equipment, safety services, home safety modifications, personal care, adult daycare, and ultimately residence in a skilled nursing facility. Disease-modifying therapies and treatments remain elusive, and there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases. ADRD imposes a tremendous financial burden on patients and their families, payers, health care delivery systems, and society.

In the absence of a cure, the Alzheimer’s Association predicts the total direct medical cost expenditures in the US for ADRD will exceed 1 trillion dollars in 2050 because of increases in elderly population projections. Health policy planners and decision-makers must gain a comprehensive understanding of the economic gravity that Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases present to the US population. The direct and indirect total medical and social costs and accompanying solution-driven mandates must be identified to CMS, private insurance groups, facilities with dementia units, and family systems that function as non-compensated caregivers.

We help families plan for the possibility of needing long-term care, and how to pay for it. If you or a loved one would like to talk about your needs, we would be happy to help. Contact our office at (740) 947-7277 and schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal matters.

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His family most recently posted on his verified Twitter account explaining his condition to his many fans. “Doctors have diagnosed our dad, Jack Hanna, with dementia, now believed to be Alzheimer’s disease,” further stating, “His condition has progressed much faster in the last few months than any of us could have anticipated.”

Jack Hanna lives a healthy, active lifestyle and is currently age 74. Let that sink in.

Worldwide the statistics are not good, and they are not in favor of the average aging American. The Alzheimer’s Association website states that one in three seniors currently dies from Alzheimer’s or some other dementia. In the absence of a medical breakthrough to prevent, slow, or cure Alzheimer’s disease, the predictive numbers will only increase.

By 2050 more than 15 percent, or 12.7 million Americans age 65 or more, will be diagnosed with dementia. There will be still more elderly Americans living with the disease undiagnosed by a medical professional, often due to poverty associated with lack of proper medical care. Living with dementia is not only a challenge to an individual’s daily life, but it is also expensive. When it comes to footing the costly care bill, where does that leave our country, our health care system, our caregivers, our families, and you?

Alzheimer’s and other dementias’ problems are overwhelming in the larger sense, so control what you can. As an individual, create a plan responsive to the changing needs of Alzheimer’s care should you receive the diagnosis. Women, more than men and certain ethnic groups, tend to be hit hardest with the disease. If you fall into these categories, pay special attention to the onset of early symptoms because, as in all diseases, early diagnosis is key to more successful intervention. All individuals should speak with their doctors honestly about any cognitive challenges they experience as they age. The Alzheimer’s Association has a checklist of symptoms that you can use as a starting point.

The early, middle, and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease all require different degrees of caregiving as behaviors change in each stage. The one truism is that your caregiving situation will require a team providing support on many levels. Look for community and online community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also has a Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit to help define and deliver person-centered care planning.

One of the earliest challenges you will face after a dementia diagnosis is developing or adapting your existing estate plan and advance directives that speak to financial and medical issues. You may have to move to be nearer family members, which can upend your will and other legal documents as they are executed by state authority. Adapting your legal plans early on can protect any challenges by heirs regarding your mental fitness and any estate plan changes. In truth, funding care for a dementia diagnosis can drain your assets to the point where generational wealth no longer exists for your inheritors. You cannot afford to have family challenges to your estate, particularly when you are no longer capable of understanding the scope of the issues due to your dementia.

There is a lot to take in, and much to get done should you receive an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Even if you do not fall into a high-risk category for dementia, you ignore the possibility of the disease at your peril. Even the seemingly healthiest and most advantaged persons like Jack Hanna can experience the diagnosis and have the disease attack swiftly.

We help families create plans that address long-term care concerns, financial issues such as how to pay for care, and tax issues. Many clients of ours have a dementia diagnosis and we understand the challenges that come with such a diagnosis. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns and your wishes so that they can be properly documented for you and your loved ones. Contact our office at (740) 947-7277 and schedule a free consultation to discuss your particular situation.

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Many misconceptions about Alzheimer’s exist. It is widely believed that Alzheimer’s and dementia are a normal part of aging. This is not true. It is a disease that develops from a wide variety of risk factors. Many people believe that Alzheimer’s patients become violent and aggressive. This only happens with some patients and is typically the result of a deep sense of confusion and fear. It is also widely believed that people with Alzheimer’s can’t function or enjoy activities. Stigma is the use of negative labels to identify a person with a disability or illness. Stigma around Alzheimer’s disease exists, in part, due to the lack of public awareness and understanding of the disease, preventing people from:

• Seeking medical treatment when symptoms are present
• Receiving an early diagnosis or any diagnosis at all
• Living the best quality of life possible while they are able to do so
• Making plans for their future
• Benefitting from available treatments
• Developing a support system
• Participating in clinical trials

Stigma and lack of awareness also impact Alzheimer’s disease research. The government funds Alzheimer’s research at lower rates than other diseases, even when the cost of caring for Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher. Stigmas and stereotypes are significant obstacles to the well-being and quality of life of those with dementia and their families. Here are some examples of the stigma those with Alzheimer’s may experience:

• A diagnosis may test friendships. Friends may refuse to believe the diagnosis or withdraw, leaving a feeling of abandonment or isolation.
• Relationships with family may change. Family members may not want to talk about the disease, assuming a low quality of life, or may avoid interaction altogether.
• Others may approach the care partner to inquire how one with Alzheimer’s is doing rather than approaching the individual directly.
• The reaction of some friends and family to the diagnosis may prevent seeking help from others.

With proper assistance, people with Alzheimer’s can enjoy meaningful activities and maintain relationships. There are plenty of reasons why we need to fight Alzheimer’s stigma. Stigma can prevent people from seeking medical treatment when symptoms are present. It can prevent people from receiving an early diagnosis or any diagnosis at all. It can prevent people from developing a support system and benefitting from available treatments allowing them a high quality of life which is absolutely possible with Alzheimer’s disease.

What Can You Do?

• Watch your loved one for changes.
• Do not pass judgment on the changes you observe.
• Talk to the individual who exhibits the symptoms; do not talk around the person.
• Encourage the individual to seek treatment. Make sure the person understands there is possible treatment available with a diagnosis.
• Do not exclude the individual from activities, do the opposite, include the individual in activities.

We hope you found this article helpful. Contact our office at (740) 947-7277 and schedule a free consultation to discuss your particular situation.

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