Finding resources as an Alzheimer’s caregiver can be daunting. But a wealth of resources is available to you if you know where to look, including resources for financial help, home care, and medication discounts.
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly 7 million adults in the United States. It causes a gradual loss of cognitive function, such as thinking ability and memory, and can lead to changes in behavior and personality.
People with Alzheimer’s need increasing levels of care and help with daily activities as the disease progresses. For this reason, caregiving is a vital part of managing the disease.
Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging, and it’s important to know where to find resources for help. If you’re currently caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and don’t know where to start, don’t worry — we’ve got you.
Continue reading to discover several types of resources that are available to Alzheimer’s caregivers.
It’s important to make sure that someone with Alzheimer’s disease gets adequate nutrition. In fact, a
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be very time consuming, and you may find it hard to shop, plan, and prepare nutritious meals each day. But don’t worry — a variety of programs are available to provide food assistance.
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to older adults with mobility issues that make it challenging for them to shop for food or prepare meals. Eligibility requirements vary by location. Payment can be on a sliding scale from no cost to full price.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supplements grocery budgets for people with low incomes, helping with the purchase of items such as fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and protein sources. To get SNAP benefits, you must meet certain income and resource requirements and apply through your state.
If you find that your grocery budget is tight and you’re having trouble getting necessities, your local food bank is another great option for food assistance. You can use this search tool from Feeding America to find a food bank near you.
While there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, medications are typically part of the treatment. Medications may be used to treat symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, or manage co-occuring health conditions.
There are a variety of sites that can help you access discounts on medications. Here are a few to check out:
Medicare covers prescription drugs through a variety of means:
- Medicare drug plans (Part D)
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that include prescription drug coverage
- limited outpatient prescription drug coverage under Part B, which includes coverage of lecanemab (Leqembi) for early Alzheimer’s under specific conditions
Medicare also provides beneficiaries with search tools for Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs and State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs.
Lastly, you can contact a pharmaceutical company directly to get help with prescription drug costs. For example, Eisai, the manufacturer of Leqembi, has a patient support program that you can participate in.
If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, there are also several government assistance programs that you may be able to use to help with the cost of Alzheimer’s care.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The SSI program is provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It provides monthly payments for older adults or people with disabilities who have few resources or little income.
The amount of the monthly payments can vary depending on income, resources, living situation, and several other factors. The SSA notes that the maximum monthly SSI payments for 2024 are $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple.
There are specific eligibility requirements for the SSI program. Go here to see whether you may be eligible.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
The SSDI program is also provided through the SSA. It provides payments to people who can no longer work because of a medical condition that a doctor expects will last at least 1 year or will result in death.
The payment amount can vary. It’s generally based on factors such as length of time worked and earnings in that period of time.
People who have Alzheimer’s or dementia and are under 65 years old may be able to receive SSDI benefits. Certain family members may also be eligible for SSDI benefits, depending on their work history. Check your eligibility for SSDI here.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is provided through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It provides comprehensive medical and social care to older adults still living in the community.
PACE covers a variety of services, such as primary and hospital care, laboratory tests, and dentistry. It also covers many services that are very relevant to people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, including:
- adult day care
- nursing home care
- home care
- prescription drugs
- transportation and meals
There are certain eligibility requirements for PACE. Go here to check PACE eligibility and go here to look for PACE programs nearby.
Home care involves services that are provided within the home. For Alzheimer’s disease, home care can encompass a wide variety of tasks, such as:
- helping with day-to-day activities like dressing, bathing, using the bathroom, and eating
- helping with common household activities such as cleaning, preparing meals, and running errands
- stopping by to visit or participate in recreational activities
- providing skilled medical care (when a healthcare professional has recommended it)
The National Association for Home Care and Hospice has a search tool to find home care agencies nearby. Medicare also has an online resource to find and compare home health services.
If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, their doctor may also be able to recommend home care services in your area. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s always a good idea to take the following steps when choosing home care providers:
- Make a list of specific home care needs before contacting potential providers.
- Call each provider first to help narrow down your list of potential providers.
- Meet with the provider in your home so they can meet your loved one and get an idea of the space.
- Carefully look at references or reviews and check in with others who have also used a provider you are considering.
Covering the costs of home care
The cost of home care can vary depending on the type of services provided and how often. Some home care providers may charge by the hour.
Medicare covers some home care services under Part A, Part B, or both. Home care is covered when a person has trouble leaving their home without help because of an illness or condition such as Alzheimer’s. Services that may be included are:
- medically necessary skilled nursing care
- physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- medical social services
- help with day-to-day activities if a person is also receiving skilled nursing care or physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- durable medical equipment and medical supplies for use at home
Medicaid may also cover home care. Eligibility and services provided can vary by state. Find out more about Medicaid here.
Private insurance companies might cover home care as well. To find out what services are covered, it’s important to reach out to the insurance provider directly.
Alzheimer’s most often affects people ages 65 years old and older. Therefore, many people with the disease have Medicare as their source of health insurance. Medicare covers many aspects of Alzheimer’s care:
- Part A covers short-term inpatient stays at a hospital or a skilled nursing facility, as well as hospice care and some home health services.
- Part B covers doctor’s and specialist’s visits and associated services, mental health services, and physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
- Part C covers everything included in Parts A and B and may include additional items such as prescription drug coverage and dental, vision, and hearing services. Part C plans, also called Medicare Advantage plans, are offered by private insurers as an alternative to Medicare parts A and B.
- Part D covers prescription drugs based on each individual drug plan’s formulary.
One notable aspect of Alzheimer’s care that’s not covered by Medicare is nursing home care. If your loved one eventually needs 24-hour care for Alzheimer’s, you’ll have to pay those costs out of pocket.
Private insurance plans may also cover many costs of Alzheimer’s care that are considered medically necessary. Be sure to check with your loved one’s insurance plan to verify what’s covered and what’s not.
It’s no secret that Alzheimer’s care can be costly. But there are many resources available for financial assistance. Here are a few examples, some of which may already be familiar:
- Medicare, Medicaid, and PACE, which are provided by the CMS
- SSI and SSDI, which are provided by the SSA
- veterans benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- a State Health Insurance Assistance Program
- Area Agencies on Aging, which are public or private nonprofit agencies that address the needs of older adults at a regional or local level
- pharmaceutical assistance programs or drug discount sites
- SNAP for assistance with grocery costs
There are also many search tools you can use to find Alzheimer’s resources that are available closer to you. Check out the following tools:
- Eldercare Locator, which helps connect people to a variety of services for older adults
- BenefitsCheckUp, which helps link older adults and people with disabilities to benefits programs
- Community Resource Finder, which is provided by the Alzheimer’s Association in collaboration with the AARP
Keep reading below for answers to frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s caregiving.
Can a person with Alzheimer’s be cared for at home?
Yes, but people with Alzheimer’s need more help and supervision as the disease progresses. In some cases, this can mean that 24-hour care in a nursing home or an assisted living facility will be beneficial.
What are suggestions for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s?
If you’ve just started your journey as an Alzheimer’s caregiver, here are some initial suggestions:
- Try to stick to a routine. This means trying to make sure your loved one bathes, dresses, and eats at the same times every day.
- Aim to respect your loved one’s personal space and allow them to be independent for as long as possible.
- Interact with your loved one in a way that’s calm, gentle, and respectful. Be empathetic and understanding when they express fears or frustrations.
- Schedule activities that allow them to remain active around the house or within their community.
- Take steps to add safety features and remove any safety hazards in the home.
How can Alzheimer’s caregivers take care of themselves?
In addition to caring for your loved one, it’s important to take care of yourself. Consider the following tips:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re feeling burned out.
- Do your best to take care of your own health by eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress.
- Continue to do things that you enjoy, such as engaging in hobbies or spending time with friends.
- Join an in-person or online support group for people who have loved ones with dementia.
- Consult a mental health professional if you’re having trouble coping.
- Seek out other people to care for your loved one when you need a short break. This is called respite care. In some cases, family and friends may be able to provide respite care, while in others, it may be provided by a respite care program.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be very rewarding and very overwhelming at the same time. From meals to prescription medications to home care, there’s so much to manage and consider.
It’s important to know that there are resources available to you as an Alzheimer’s caregiver. These include resources for financial help, medication discounts, and food assistance.
Your loved one’s team of healthcare professionals is also a valuable resource. They may be able to recommend Alzheimer’s care resources in your area that you may not have known about.