Imagine Age 55 and Getting an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis - What to Do? How Can You Prepare?

When you think of Alzheimer's or dementia, you think of an older person in their final months of life; however, this is not the case. Dementia Care Center says the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, has an average life expectancy after diagnosis of ten years, and other dementias have different life expectancies. Plus, dementia, while more likely to occur when you are older, can happen much younger than expected.

Can you imagine being 55 years old and finding out you have Alzheimer's? For this Arizona woman, this is exactly what happened to her and her family.

See and read the story from ABC-15 Arizona - Costs leading to potential long-term care crisis (abc15.com)

We Take Things for Granted - Until We Can't

Things we take for granted like dressing, cleaning, cooking, brushing our teeth, and showering require help and supervision. The impact is all-encompassing. Family members often become caregivers, and their lives are also turned upside down. 

Professional care is expensive. In Arizona, the average statewide cost of in-home care is $4,433 a month; in Phoenix is averages $4,767 a month, according to the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator - Arizona Long-Term Care Resources | LTC News.

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and adult day care centers are also expensive, and the costs are increasing due to higher demand and higher labor costs. 

Don't Depend on Health Insurance or Medicare

Health insurance is not the answer, nor is Medicare or supplements, as they will not pay for any custodial or supervisory long-term care. Medicaid will pay for these services, but you must have little or no income and assets to qualify. 

The solution for many families is affordable Long-Term Care Insurance; however, you cannot purchase a policy unless you have fairly good health. Most experts suggest obtaining coverage in your 40s or 50s.

A qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist can help navigate obtains and pricing between the many companies offering insurance solutions - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.

If you or a loved one needs care now - or very soon - LTC NEWS can help - Finding Quality In-Home Care | LTC News. Seek help finding quality care - either at home or in a facility with LTC NEWS. We are working with a leading national home care provider, Amada Senior Care, who will help you process an LTC Insurance claim at no charge or obligation. They will help design a plan of care and find our quality caregivers or facilities - learn more here - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News.