Alzheimer’s Financial Planning: Advice, Assistance, and Insurance

There are 7 stages of Alzheimer’s. If you’ve been diagnosed in one of the early stages of the disease it isn’t too late to...
a person holding a stack of paper money

There are 7 stages of Alzheimer’s. If you’ve been diagnosed in one of the early stages of the disease it isn’t too late to devise a financial plan for your future using all available insurance options. It is important to act quickly, everyone progresses through the stages at a different rate. 

Not to say that time is running out, but it is better to be early than late when it comes to decisions about your life plans. Financial planning isn’t everyone’s forte and if it is possible, have a loved one help you through your planning process.

Advice

The best advice you can get when it comes to Alzheimer’s is to learn all about your options when it comes to your healthcare. Do your research on the type of options you have available to you and if you have other health concerns, how those concerns can be managed alongside Alzheimer’s. Learn the signs and symptoms of each stage of the illness and understand what will happen as dementia sets in. 

For instance, if you’re managing another illness such as high cholesterol, the consequences of not taking your medication can be dire. There has to be a plan of action to ensure that your pills are taken every day in a timely manner. If this means hiring a nurse, the cost of that home nurse should be calculated and money must be set aside for this expense not to fall onto your loved ones.

As Alzheimer’s progresses the level of care necessary increases. Although some families feel they can deal with the illness themselves, other medical needs such as diabetes might arise and the need for an experienced healthcare professional might be necessary. There are memory care facilities and home care options that can help you when you need it the most. 

Research all of your options and see what type of care you would like in the future and how you would like to proceed. Ensure that you’ve got more than one option in mind, especially if money is a concern. Calculate the cost of your care and start planning for your future by setting aside funds for long-term care.

Assistance

Assistance from family members is encouraged and appreciated. As you or your loved one tries to cope with what’s happening to them there are medical options that can help ease the process. Social assistance is available for care no matter what kind of financial state you’re in. There are state-run facilities, private care and even home care options.

Some expenses aren’t covered under your insurance policy and some are only partially covered. Medicare and Medicaid have options to help but depending on your income you might still have to pay for coverage.

Insurance

Check over all of your insurance policies and see what kind of options you’re given when it comes to long term care or disability care. Health insurance provided by your employer and even your mortgage insurance may cover long term illness. For partial coverage, you can find private health insurance using websites like Health Quote Gurus that may finance the rest of the expenses.

Learn all you can about Alzheimer’s disease so that you and your family are fully prepared for what can happen in your future at each stage. Living with the disease won’t be easy and asking for help is not frowned upon. 

Take care in finding available options covered under your insurance plans or purchase an affordable plan that will cover the type of care you feel you need. Set aside money to cover extra costs for when you’re unable to make decisions for yourself by finding out what you’ll need to cover the cost from today. Be financially prepared and know all of your insurance coverage and how the disease will progress.

Nathan Gardner is a graduate of University of Washington in Seattle. He is a contributing writer for Urban Tulsa, and a freelance writer for several other online publications.
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