| RNS,
Nov. 03, Planning for dementia
1:38
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2003/alz.htm
Planning for the gray
cloud of dementia
(Download
audio version)
Suggested
Lead: Dementia is a fate that faces many of us as we age. Currently,
about 4.5 million Americans are struggling with Alzheimer’s
disease -- the most common and well known form of dementia, and,
unless more effective treatments are found, this number is expected
to triple in the coming decades as baby boomers age. Here is Erin
Block with more
TRT 1:38
SOQ
Alzheimer’s
disease is one of the most expensive diseases, particularly to patients
and their families, because the associated costs are not paid for
by most health insurance, Social Security or Medicare.
Alzheimer’s
patients can expect to incur between $250,000 and $400,000 in medical
bills over the course of this chronic illness that can require many
years of care.
That’s
why experts urge that planning begin in middle age when affordable
long-term care insurance can be obtained.
Dr. Norman Foster,
(M.D.), director of the Cognitive Disorders Clinic at the University
of Michigan Health System suggests
“Planning
for long term care should begin in middle age because that’s
when long term care insurance can be considered and can be affordable.
If you wait until after age 60, it either can be unaffordable
or even unobtainable. So, it’s important to address these
issues early.”
Receiving a
diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is stressful for patients
and families, and also for physicians says Foster. It’s important
to take it all in and go through a grieving process. Then think
again, and start again to build the new life -- the altered life
-- that occurs with this disease.
Foster recommends
“When
a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, we need
to get down to the specifics of long term care planning. Three
things are really very important. One is deciding who will be
responsible and naming a durable power of attorney, or sometimes
that’s called a patient advocate. Secondly, where location
of care will be, and third is the financial needs that this disease
demands.”
Foster also
recommends that family members become involved early in the process
so that they can adjust more slowly to the changes and increasing
demands that will be made on them.
Erin Block,
U-M Health System News
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