About Alzheimer's Assisted Living

Over 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive form of dementia that is a leading cause of death. As the population ages, that figure will double.
Assisted-living facilities have enhanced their capacity to care for Alzheimer's patients in a manner that maintains safety while providing comfort and stimulation. Paying for assisted-living care remains a challenge.

Significance

• Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Brain cells are destroyed, resulting in the loss of memory, intellectual abilities and the ability to maintain normal daily activities. The Alzheimer's Association reports that over 5.2 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's, and of those, 500,000 are people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
  There is no cure for Alzheimer's. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. Assisted-living facilities can offer a home-like setting that supports patients' independence as long as possible while ensuring care and safety.

Identification

• Care facilities for patients with Alzheimer's have come a long way since the days when people were locked in skilled nursing facilities. Assisted-living facilities have developed Special Care Units (SCUs) to address the unique needs of Alzheimer's residents.
  The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation lists distinct characteristics of SCUs: structured routine; attention to individual resident's lifestyle and needs; safe and comfortable surroundings; compassionate staff; activities that support residents' skills and experiences; and an ability to work with difficult behavior and wandering.

Features

• Many Alzheimer's assisted-living facilities base their programs on a philosophy of care called habilitation. The purpose of habilitation is to focus on the patient's reality and needs rather than imposing an external reality that the patient no longer understands. Structured routines and familiar activities help a patient feel more secure and reduce the anxiety that occurs with Alzheimer's. Assisted-living staff members help patients maintain their skills by prompting and cueing, such as holding up a pair of pants and a shirt instead of dressing the patient.

Considerations

• Assisted living is expensive, costing from $1,500 to around $6,000 per month depending on location, licensing and care options. Unlike skilled-nursing care, most costs of assisted living aren't covered by Medicare, Medicaid or long-term care insurance plans. Families usually pay privately for assisted living. Residents whose disease has progressed to involving significant medical needs may move to a skilled-nursing facility.

Potential

• The fastest growing segment of the population is those over age 85, and half of those over 85 suffer from Alzheimer's. It is estimated that 10 million members of the Baby Boom generation will be stricken with Alzheimer's. The financial and emotional cost to family caregivers and society will be enormous. Public policy will need to address this rapidly growing challenge.