Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, irreversible
brain disorder that affects an estimated 4 million Americans, most
of whom are over 65 years of age. As the population ages, the number
of people with Alzheimer's is expected to climb. Alzheimer's patients
gradually lose their memory,
lose learning abilities, language, and motor skills. They become
disoriented, suffer personality changes, and lose their ability to
take care of
themselves. Eight years is the average life span a person is expected
to survive when diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease
Many Alzheimer's patients live in their own homes or are cared
for by family and friends. Family caregivers can become physically,
emotionally, and financially drained by providing constant constant
care and supervision for a person with Alzheimer's disease. The
disease may cause the patient to be aggressive, easily agitated,
have delusions, become withdrawn, have disruptive behaviors and
become disoriented. Families usually consider nursing homes or assisted
living residences when condition worsens and the need for more personal
care and supervision is more than can be provided at home.
Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disabilities are the leading
causes for nursing home admissions. People who have Alzheimer's
disease eventually require continuing, long-term care, either at
home, in a nursing home or other continuing-care facility.
The financial hardship can be extreme on a family that needs to
put their loved ones in a nursing home, assisted living facility
or to get the necessary home health care help.
Many caregiver families put their own retirement savings on hold,
have other responsibilities to their own children, and may suffer
in their careers because they can't take travel assignments or work
late.
Financial protection with long term care insurance
Long term care insurance provide families the opportunity to give
their loved ones the adequate care needed. Many long term care
insurance
policies generally cover Alzheimer's disease and organic cognitive
impairment conditions. However, long term care insurance is best
purchased before the problems arises. If the insured has Alzheimer's
disease at the time of purchase, request for insurance coverage
may be denied.
The physical, emotional, and financial strain of caring for a loved
one is extreme for the caretaker family. Adult children can protect
their own financial security by purchasing long term care insurance
for loved ones.
To get an idea how much long term care insurance costs, get a
free long term care insurance quote online.
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