Navigating the cost of emergency dementia placement can be a daunting task for families and caregivers. Dementia is a collection of symptoms resulting from certain brain disorders where two or more functions have significant impairment, such as memory and language skills. [1]
One aspect of the cost of emergency dementia placement is the cost of medical care. According to a study by [3], the average expenses for dementia care include $273 per month on medical supplies and $159 per month on food. Additionally, 67% of caregivers reported reducing their own living expenses to pay for caregiving costs, which is up from 51% the previous year.
Another aspect to consider is the cost of emergency room visits for someone with dementia. As [2] notes, the emergency room environment can exacerbate the anxiety of someone with dementia. However, in the case of a medical emergency, it is important to seek emergency care as soon as possible.
Medicaid is a government-funded program that can help cover the cost of emergency dementia placement for those who qualify. It is important to check with your state’s Medicaid office to see if you are eligible and what services are covered.
Insurance is another option to consider. Long-term care insurance, for example, can help cover the costs of emergency dementia placement, but it is important to check with your insurance provider to see what is covered. Some insurance plans have lifetime benefit maximums, which means that they will only pay for a certain amount of care over the life of the policy.
It’s also important to note that 57% of future caregivers expect to have personal costs of providing care, but 48% have not planned for it financially. This means that it is important to plan and budget for the cost of emergency dementia placement in advance, if possible.
In summary, navigating the cost of emergency dementia placement can be difficult, but there are options available such as Medicaid and insurance. It’s important to check with your state’s Medicaid office, insurance provider, and budget for the cost in advance if possible.
