Dementia and Alzheimers pose severe challenges among elders, like forgetting names or events, difficulty with finding the right word, becoming anxious, and more. These issues don’t only distress elders. But impacts families equally as the disease progresses and the symptoms worsen.
It is where memory care comes in and relieves the elders with specialized, compassionate care.
But how much do you have to pay for memory care? Let’s break it down! We’ll discover the overall costs of memory care facilities in Oregon. We’ll also throw some light on the factors that influence this cost and the available options to pay the memory care costs.
What is Specialized Memory Care for Seniors?
Memory care is a specialized or personalized service offered to dementia or Alzheimer patients and their families. It provides 24-hour supervision with a supportive environment where your loved ones are completely safe. The staff addresses the patient’s unique challenges and offers personalized plans tailored to their needs. They also provide animal therapy to the seniors. It is seen that animal assisted therapies influence dementia or Alzheimer’s patients’ lives positively. You can search for a memory care facility near me and find the best services for your loved ones.
Signs Your Loved One Needs a Memory Care Facility
Take a look at the telltale signs you should never ignore in your loved ones.
- Forgetting bills or receiving confused calls about utilities.
- Neglecting personal hygiene or household chores.
- Leaving the stove on, falling, or wandering off.
- Forgetting medication, skipping appointments, or not eating.
- Forgetting dates, years, or seasons.
- Losing interest in hobbies or social activities.
- Aggressive or abusive behavior.
- Neglecting personal needs.
These are some of the signs that suggest that your loved one requires specialized care.
Top Benefits of Memory Care to Your Loved Ones
Here are the top benefits memory care communities offer to patients:
- 24/7 Support: Memory care facilities offer 24/7 support to patients so that they receive the best assistance with personal care tasks.
- Specialized Trained Staff: The memory care facilities have a well-trained staff that is proficient in providing compassionate support to loved ones.
- Personalized Care Plans: These facilities understand the patient’s needs and offer personalized plans tailored to fit their medical needs.
- Social Engagement: These facilities ensure that your loved ones are engaged in fun activities throughout the day. It increases their engagement and improves their quality of life.
What Does the Memory Care Fee Cover?
The memory care fee covers the following:
- Housing
- Nutritious Meals
- 24-Hour Care
- Safety Protocols Like Gated Entrances, Surveillance, and Monitoring Systems
- Emergency Response Systems
- Housekeeping
- Assistance with Daily Living Activities
- Medication Management
- Transportation to Medical Appointments
- Memory-Enhancing Therapies
- Social Activities
How Much Does Memory Care Cost?
The senior memory care in Portland Oregon costs are calculated based on several factors, such as:
- Location: Memory care costs in urban areas are more expensive than in rural areas.
- Staff Expertise: A lower staff-to-resident ratio provides high-level care, possibly contributing to higher costs.
- Level of Services Offered: Memory care costs depend on the level of services the communities offer – basic, enhanced, or specialized.
How Can Families Pay For Memory Care?
Families pay for memory care with options like personal savings, financial assistance from family, or qualifying public assistance programs such as Medicaid. Let’s explore them one by one:
- Personal Savings and Investments: Some families can pay for memory care facilities using their own money and other sources like retirement accounts, savings accounts, stocks, bonds, or other investments.
- Government Aid Programs: The government offers various assistance programs to cover the cost. Some seniors qualify for Medicaid or Veterans Affairs, which covers the overall cost.
- Support for Families: Sometimes, the patients cannot afford to pay the costs of memory care. Therefore, their family members contribute to bear the expenses.
- Selling off Belongings: Some families don’t have enough financial resources to cover the expenses of memory care. As a result, they sell their belongings, such as a house or a car, in order to cover the costs of memory care for their family members.
How Can You Save Your Expenses on Memory Care?
Here are the ways you can get into consideration to save money on expenses.
- Plan Ahead: The sooner you begin exploring and evaluating memory care facilities, the higher the chances you’ll discover a cost-effective solution that meets your requirements.
- Look for Senior Discounts: Most facilities have discount offerings for seniors. Asking about them while inquiring about services helps bring down the overall cost.
- Consider Shared Living Options: Shared living is one of the best ways to reduce costs. Many memory care facilities offer room or common area sharing. It, as a result, lowers costs for resident care and support.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate: When it comes to memory care facility costs, negotiation plays an important role. Do not hesitate to bring up possible ways of discounting or setting flexible payment plans.
Wrapping Up
Memory care facilities offer a significant enhancement to the quality of life for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Families can actively support their loved ones with memory care facilities. By doing so, families can ensure their loved ones receive the necessary emotional support and assistance with daily tasks.
However, the financial aspect of memory care can be a consideration. Various options like government assistance programs such as Medicaid or Veterans Affairs, insurance policies, and family support can save the overall expenses.
Contact Quail Crest Memory Care Experts to know more about memory care costs!
