In this article, Senior Planning Services, a NJ-based Medicaid planning company that assists seniors and their families with Medicaid-sponsored senior care, discusses what’s covered by medicaid and what’s not during this time.
Dementia Care
Dementia begins with custodial care: routine personal care that does not require the attention of trained medical staff. Intermediate care is the step beyond that, when medical care is necessary, but not constant; and at the level of skilled care, your loved one with dementia is in need of constant medical care in order to maintain what quality of life they can.
Where does Medicaid factor into that? For many, Medicaid offers the financial provision that makes it possible for elderly dementia patients to receive the quality of care they need. There are a variety of care options available for dementia patients depending on the level of care they currently require.
In-Home Care
For many dementia patients, in-home care is the preferred style of care for as long as possible.
In-home care allows for dementia patients to receive daily visits to help with personal care and other tasks, including food preparation, without needing to leave the comfort of their own homes.
In-home care is often covered by Medicaid. The only qualification is that the patient would otherwise be in need of moving to a nursing home or other care facility if the in-home care had not provided.
Adult Day Care Programs
Adult day care programs are designed to provide care during the day for individuals who are unable to stay at home by themselves and who have no one to care for them, but who aren’t yet in need of full-time nursing home care.
At adult day care programs, individuals with dementia are watched over and cared for. They’re also able to interact with other adults, which can help keep their minds sharper and functioning longer.
This is another service that is often paid for by Medicaid.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC’s) are designed to offer a tiered approach to care. Individuals who are able to live somewhat independently are allowed that independence.
As their condition deteriorates, they are moved to higher-care levels of the facility. These services typically aren’t paid for by Medicaid, and often, individuals who wish to live in a continuing care retirement center must move in when they are still able to live independently in order to ensure a place when they need higher levels of care.
Another benefit of this type of setting is that the spouse of the dementia patient can join the patient in the CCRC.
Adult Family Homes
For dementia patients, adult family homes are often a wonderful option for continuing care.
In many cases, these homes will have around six adult patients who are able to interact with one another and with the staff. They live in a residential home, so patients are more comfortable than they might be in other nursing home-style settings. In adult family homes, occasional medical care is sometimes available.
Again, however, these services are not provided by Medicaid.
Nursing Home Facilities
When a dementia patient deteriorates to a point where they can no longer live alone at all and they need a high level of medical care, a nursing home is usually the best place for them.
Nursing homes are designed to allow dementia patients to receive the care they need while still maintaining their quality of life for as long as possible.
Medicaid will cover nursing home care for dementia patients.
Memory Care Units
Memory care units are specialized facilities that are designed around the specific needs of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
In these facilities, patients are able to participate in structured activities. They’re able to be social, receive physical therapy and other medical services as needed, and have meals brought to them or offered in a dining room.
Memory care units offer private or semi-private rooms. Medicaid does offer plans that will help cover memory care units.
The financial burden of caring for an elderly dementia patient can be heavy. Many people struggle with finding the best type of care for their loved one, and the additional thought of how to pay for it can be overwhelming.
Thankfully, programs like Medicaid help make it possible for families to provide their loved ones with the care that they need without going into debt. Careful research and consideration of the available facilities in a given area will ultimately provide the best determination of the care needed for a particular individual.
What changes to Medicaid surprised you the most? What questions do you have about these changes? Share your thoughts on Medicaid in the comments below.
About the Author
Benny Lamm is a communication specialist and blogger at Senior Planning Services, an industry leader in helping seniors and their families achieve Medicaid-sponsored long-term care. He enjoys playing the guitar, spending time with family and social networking.
Related Articles: