Alzheimer's Awareness

NOVEMBER IS ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH

Every 70 seconds, another American family is affected by Alzheimer’s

*REPOST* https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/november-is-alzheimers-awareness-month/

Alzheimer’s is a complex neurological disease that is the most common form of dementia.  More than 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s and more than 10 million are caring for a loved one with the disease.

Many of us here at Fisher Center Foundation know the devastation of Alzheimer’s firsthand.  Our families, like yours, have had to make so many difficult decisions about a loved one’s long-term care, financial assets and both physical and mental health.  Dealing with Alzheimer’s is not an easy task and, because Alzheimer’s affects each sufferer and caregiver differently, there is never one right way to cope.

As we honor our loved ones this November, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we would like to offer you the opportunity to arm yourself with the best information on Alzheimer’s disease.  A better understanding of the disease can prepare you for the road ahead.  We have also revised our Caregivers Corner to include up to date information that will help if you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.  We hope that you find the information useful and that you gain a better understanding of this disease.

A great way to honor those you love during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is to make a donation in their name.  Donate Online to make Alzheimer’s nothing but a memory for everyone.

Thank you for visiting ALZinfo.org and we hope that you have a happy and healthy November.

Alzheimer’s 101:

• Clinical Stages
• 10 Signs and Symptoms
• Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
• Drug Treatment & Research

Caregiving & Resources:

• Family Caregiving
• Caregivers Corner
• www.ALZTalk.org – the free online social network for Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Connect on Facebook and join the cause

Sign up to receive expert reviewed Alzheimer’s information in your inbox – FREE!

Long Term Care Awareness Month

LTC Awareness Month >>>
Eight Things People Should Know

*REPOST* Brought to you by: Mutual of Omaha

November is LTC Awareness Month – time again to devote your efforts to helping people understand the importance of planning for their future long-term care needs.

This can be challenging...especially for those who find it hard to see themselves needing help with the most basic daily activities, like bathing or dressing. Yet, taking accountability for their future care and planning for that day is something everyone should do.

Here are eight things they should consider when developing a plan for long-term care:

1. Planning for long-term care is important. Most people will tell you they plan to live a long life. But with age comes the need for help with some of the things they always did for themselves. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70 percent of people who reach age 65 will need LTC services at some point in their lives
2. LTC services are expensive. Mutual of Omaha’s cost-of-care survey revealed that just one year in a nursing home can cost nearly $80,000 (based on national averages). Home health care is less expensive, but people still can expect to pay over $36,000 per year on average for care they receive at home.
3. You can’t rely on Medicare. Many people mistakenly believe their LTC needs are already covered. In reality, Medicare only covers services for a short time – typically just long enough to help people get back on their feet after an illness or injury.
4. Medicaid isn’t for everyone. It’s true. Medicaid does cover LTC services. But it’s important to remember that Medicaid is a program for people with low incomes and limited resources. That may mean your clients would have to spend down their assets just to qualify. Not an attractive option for people who want to protect the assets they worked a lifetime to accumulate and leave a legacy for their children.
5. There’s a hidden cost to family caregivers. It’s easy to say, "My family will take care of me." But a spouse may not be physically able to provide all the care that’s needed. And children have their own family and career obligations. The fact is family caregivers frequently suffer from stress and illness themselves. Not to mention lost wages if they have to give up a job or reduce work hours.
6. The best time to start planning is now. How will you pay for the care you need? Where will you live? Who will take care of you? These are questions people need to ask themselves now while they’re young and in good health. The need for LTC services can arise at any time. Having a plan in place when that day comes can help alleviate the emotional strain many families face. It also can help ensure your clients get to make the important decisions about the care they receive and the setting they prefer.
7. The cost of waiting can be high. The ability to obtain an LTCi policy is based on age and good health. So it’s important for people to understand that if something happens to cause a change in their health status, they may not be able to purchase LTCi at any price.
8. Some coverage is better than none. Many people who think they can’t afford an LTCi policy neglect to consider what would happen if they didn’t have one. Without a policy to help pay the bills for LTC services, they may have to liquidate assets, sell stocks, dip into savings or retirement accounts or sell property to come up with the cash they need. Even a modest LTCi policy offers some protection for their important assets.

Read More @: http://www.mutualofomaha.com/yourchoice/tips-tools-training/article-eight-things-people-should-know.php