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Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Aug 16 2:33pm | Replies (762)Comment receiving replies
First time on this site. Wife (79) has had dementia for about 6 years. Getting worse. Still remembers family and some friends but not all of them. Very small appetite but is holding steady the past few months. Have concerns about costs of providing care for her at home when needed. Anyone have info about what to expect in costs and can recommend a provider. Bob
Replies to "First time on this site. Wife (79) has had dementia for about 6 years. Getting worse...."
Hi @12131209 Nice to e-meet you here Bob. I am Scott and I was the primary caregiver for my wife for 14+ years while she battled brain cancer (at home) and was one of the secondary caregivers for my mother-in-law while she battled dementia (also at home). I am sorry to hear of the difficulties your wife is experiencing with this terrible disease and the journey you are on as a caregiver. It is a tough one for each of you.
Cost of care can vary by state, location, what supplemental insurances you might carry, etc. It also can vary according to what additional services might be needed or necessary in a home care environment. Sometimes care alternatives such as specialized facilities, can also come into play. These again can vary greatly by state and locations within a state. I know the care costs for support care were even different from city to city or city to suburbs.
One other significant issue can be costs of medicines, which again can be dependent on what coverages you have and if you are covered under private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental policies, etc.
What area are you in? Also have you taken a close look at your medical coverage booklets to see what they describe when it comes to coverages, such as in-home aides, changes to your home if necessary, etc? Also there can be changes in what is covered if hospice care comes into play, both home hospice (which my wife chose) and hospice in a facility.
While I don't have a ton of answers, these questions might help get the conversation going in the right direction. I am happy to help with examples of at least what I had to cover for my wife and with my MIL.
Courage, strength, and peace!
Connect
Welcome to Connect, Bob. I moved your message to the Caregivers group where you meet many others caring for spouses and parents with Alzheimer's,like @IndianaScott @lindabf @harriethodgson1 @juani @mnitchke @mnina and many more. You are not alone.
Bob, I encourage you to follow the Caregivers group here:
Join any of the discussions of interest to you.
Your concerns about the costs of providing care for your wife at home is a good topic to bring to the group -- what to expect and how to find good help, etc. Do you have support workers or nurses coming to your home now to help you with her care?