If your mom or dad has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it can be a terrifying situation for everyone. Given that most patients with Alzheimer's show their first symptoms in their mid-60's, and many experts believe that approximately 5 million people suffer from the disease, you and your family aren't alone in this challenging situation. Fortunately, assisted living is a good choice that can effectively meets the needs of patients with early Alzheimer's.

#1-It May Take Time To Find The Right Independent Living Facilities That Accept Residents With Alzheimer's 

It is important to note that an assisted living facility is not a full-service environment. For example, they are a good option when someone needs help with some of their normal activities or if you are worried about them being alone all of the time. Therefore, you're likely to see call buttons available in each room in case of an accident, and residents often have the option of renting an apartment within the building in lieu of the private or semi-private room common in nursing homes. 

Although it is frequently possible to select from a wide array of optional services in independent living situations, including housekeeping, laundry, meals preparation, etc., they do not have the ability to consistently provide extensive medical care. One example would be that while someone in the building may be certified for basic first aid, and they would undoubtedly call emergency medical services if the need arose, they don't provide most medical care. In addition, they may help a resident get to a medical appointment or help them schedule it but would not actually provide the care themselves.

#2-Assisted Living Facilities Rarely Accept Health Insurance..So Plan Accordingly

Unfortunately, aging can be expensive. Recent statistics have determined that the average cost per year for standard care in an assisted living facility is $41,724. It is often assumed that the cost of long-term care or assisted living facilities will be paid for or subsidized by health insurance companies. That is rarely true, except for short stays after a serious health problem like a stroke. 

In that case, inpatient, intensive rehabilitation may be paid for by insurance companies and Medicare. Otherwise, the bulk of expenses are the responsibility of the resident and his or her family. As a result, if the expenses are likely to be a problem, it is important to speak with your parents while they are still able to participate in the decision-making process. It is frequently necessary to sell the home or other items of high value to pay for the care they need.

#3-Learn At What Point Your Parent Would Need To Move To More Directed Care

You may already know there are seven stages of Alzheimer's and that the first stage often presents with no obvious or unexpected symptoms. With early diagnosis and appropriate medical care, it may be possible to delay the progression of the disease. That obviously means your parent would be able to live longer in an independent facility.

By knowing what guidelines are used to estimate when a resident needs more comprehensive care than the assisted living facility provides, it is easier to plan for the future. In addition, it can also be helpful to choose a facility that makes the decision with the residents, if possible, and their loved ones. Fortunately, your mom or dad may be able to live in assisted living for years before requiring more advanced care.