Alzheimer's and Falls: Assisted Living Memory Care
Understanding Alzheimer's and the Risk of Falls
Falls are a significant and shared concern for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. It is essential to understand that falls are difficult to prevent, and senior living communities make extensive efforts to reduce the risk. Alzheimer’s disease affects your ability to make decisions and organize thoughts while performing daily activities. Additionally, it can impair your ability to identify and avoid objects on the floor, significantly increasing the risk of falls. These incidents are common and can occur at home and in senior living communities.
When searching for a community, it's crucial to understand the level of care provided to avoid the need for nursing homes or additional private aides. Here are examples of how two different communities manage care levels and costs:
Community A
Base Cost: $9,100 per month, which includes 2 hours of care per day.
Level 1 Care: Additional $900 per month.
Level 2 Care: Additional $1,800 per month.
Highest Level of Care: $10,900 per month.
Note: Community A does not provide two-person assistance or pureed food.
Community B
Base Cost: $8,800 per month, which includes 1 hour of care per day.
Level 5 Care: Additional $4,500 per month.
Total for Highest Level of Care: $13,300 per month.
Community A may appear less expensive initially, but it becomes more costly if high levels of care, including two-person assistance, are needed.
The Story of Stuart and Joan
Consider the case of Joan and her husband Stuart, who owned a home with roughly $500,000 in liquid assets. Stuart experienced multiple falls at home, prompting Joan to start looking for memory care communities. Joan’s first step was to go on the internet and search for memory care. She clicked on a community of interest but didn’t realize she was directed to an online referral service. The agent was very informative and discussed Stuart’s needs. Joan provided her email and contact information, and within an hour, the online referral service sent her contact information to 5 or 6 communities. Joan was overwhelmed with calls from these communities.
A few weeks later, Joan found a community where her husband could age in place. It was beautiful, and when she toured, residents were active, and the staff was engaged. Stuart moved in, but a month later, he fell in the middle of the night and was sent to the emergency room, where he broke his hip and required surgery.
A nurse from the community went out to assess Stuart at the rehab to determine his care level before returning to the community, which is standard practice. The nurse called Joan and said that Stuart would need a private aide to return to the community because they did not provide a two-person assist, which Stuart now requires. Joan was unaware of this and was already paying $9,100 for 2 hours of care. Still, she remembered that the sales director mentioned that if Stuart needed more hours, it was available at an additional cost of $2,500 for the highest level of care. This brought the total cost to $11,600 per month.
Joan now had two options:
Keep Stuart at the nursing home at a private pay rate of $17,000 per month until he qualified for Medicaid (when he ran out of money).
She will hire a private aide at $35 per hour, 24/7, and pay for the room, bringing her total to over $20,000 monthly.
Why can't Stuart move to Community B, which provides a high level of care? This is where the concept of "age in place" comes into play. Communities that offer two-person assistance typically do not initially admit new residents that are high level of care.
Key Considerations Before Moving
Level of Care: Ensure the facility can handle current and future care needs, including fall prevention and advanced care.
Community Culture: Visit potential communities to observe their environment and staff interactions.
Financial Planning: Understand all costs involved, including potential additional costs for higher levels of care.
Longevity and Stability: Inquire about staff tenure and turnover rates.
Why Work with Family Choices for Dementia?
At Family Choices for Dementia, we offer personalized assistance and local expertise to help you navigate the complexities of Alzheimer's care. With years of experience in senior living communities, we understand the challenges caregivers and families face and can provide expert guidance every step of the way. Our services are accessible, as senior living communities compensate us through a referral fee. Contact us today to learn how we can help you find the proper care option for your loved one. We will set up an initial call to learn more about your loved ones needs, provide resources such
How to Get Started
Getting started on the journey to find the right assisted living memory care for your loved one is as easy as reaching out to us. You can contact us via email or phone to set up a consultation. During this consultation, we will take the time to learn more about your loved one's needs, discuss any resources you may require, such as finding a neurologist or elder law attorney, and address any concerns you may have.
It's important not to wait until a crisis occurs before searching for senior living options. By reaching out to us, we can help provide options for when the time comes. We'll provide you with information on costs, availability, and the different levels of care available.
Once we have a better understanding of your loved one's needs, we can begin the process of finding a suitable community. This may involve meeting with your loved one to get to know them better and find a good fit, setting up tours of potential communities, and accompanying you on those tours to provide support and guidance.
We understand that transitioning a loved one to a community can be daunting for caregivers. That's why we're here to help every step of the way. We'll provide advice on how to prepare for the transition, what to say, and how to navigate the process. We'll also assist with any paperwork that needs to be prepared, making the transition as smooth as possible for both you and your loved one.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us today to take the first step towards finding the right assisted living memory care for your loved one. We're here to support you through this journey with compassion, expertise, and personalized care.
Contact Information: For personalized assistance and more information, please get in touch with us at:
Email: patti@fcfd.care
Phone: 781-686-6247
Office Address: Duxbury, MA
Note: We serve clients throughout New England and are also available to assist with out-of-state placements. Our dedicated team provides expert guidance and support wherever you are.