Dementia presents numerous difficulties for patients and caregivers alike. Luckily, there are ways to ease these burdens through home health services or adult day care programs; The Biden-Harris Administration has taken steps to promote such options and relieve family caregiver burden; Medicare also offers invaluable support for dementia patients and their loved ones.
Home health care for dementia may range from physical therapy and occupational therapy to speech pathology and speech-language pathology, depending on your specific needs. As well as being medically beneficial, these services may assist with daily tasks like bathing and dressing as well as assist in bathing and dressing needs. Medicare covers up to 35 hours per week when homebound status has been verified by a doctor’s order.
Medicare also offers home safety services to help prevent accidents or injuries in the home for people living with dementia, such as installing grab bars and non-skid mats in bathrooms, unplugging kitchen appliances and locking all doors and windows securely. They will conduct an assessment to identify risks and suggest necessary modifications.
Medicare also covers caregiver support services that can give family members respite and time away while providing training and education about dementia care. Beneficiaries may also receive counseling and care planning from a medical professional – which has proven helpful for people living with dementia to remain living at home longer.
If a medical professional determines that you no longer feel secure living at home and require skilled nursing care, they may recommend staying in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Medicare Part A covers up to 20 days of your stay in an SNF; after this point you will pay daily coinsurance of $176.
Medicare does not cover long-term care needs; however, hospice services for dementia or terminal illness can be covered. Hospice care is considered medically necessary care and offers supportive services such as palliative care to reduce pain and discomfort while helping your loved ones spend their final days comfortably in familiar surroundings.
Some private long-term care insurance policies cover dementia home health services; however, details vary by plan. You should always verify with them to see whether these are included.
Many seniors and their families choose to supplement traditional Medicare coverage with Medigap policies, which offer private insurance that pays the copayments and deductibles associated with traditional Medicare. You can buy such plans either directly from private insurers or from your state’s health insurance assistance program which offers free one-on-one help and publications. There are also Medicare Advantage plans which offer long-term care benefits beyond what’s provided under traditional Medicare, some even specialising in dementia and related conditions; please reach out directly for details.