It’s never an easy decision to place your loved one in an assisted living facility. However, for many people with Alzheimer’s disease being in an environment that specializes in memory care is exactly what they need. While there are a few challenges when it comes to finding the right place for Black American older adults, resources are available to help you locate the best fit.
10 Signs They Need Memory Care
- Hygiene becomes a problem – they may no longer be able to take care of their hygiene or their home.
- The bills aren’t paid – they are becoming increasingly forgetful about their financial obligations.
- Their safety is at risk – they may have left the door open or the stove on more than once.
- They neglect their health – they may forget doctor appointments or neglect to take their medication.
- Time slips by them – they may lose track of the day, month, or season.
- They become withdrawn – they may no longer want to see friends or participate in activities they used to love.
- They’ve become aggressive – they may have started to be highly irritable or aggressive and others might not feel safe around them.
- They’re not sleeping well – they may have trouble sleeping through the night, which is common for more advanced stages of dementia.
- They’re having trouble eating – they may forget to eat or simply have trouble eating and swallowing.
- They’ve started wandering – they may have started to wander around the neighborhood with no clear idea of where they are or where they are headed.
Finding a Facility That Caters to Black Americans
Facilities that offer memory care for people with dementia specialize in building routines, catering to the behavioral changes associated with the condition, and addressing their clients’ specific dementia-related needs. For Black Americans, it can be difficult to find one because of the disparity that still exists in the health industry. Studies have found that several facilities have turned Black people away or have marked them as being low priority when making admission decisions.
Even when they’re accepted, Black Americans often don’t get the same level of care as other ethnicities though their symptoms tend to progress more quickly. One way to avoid this is to find facilities that cater specifically to Black people.
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A great place to start is getting a referral from a doctor or someone you know who has experience with placing a loved one in a memory care facility. If that doesn’t help, ask your insurance company, check with support groups, or do some research online. While you may not find facilities that only have Black residents, some resources can point to those that have a good reputation.
Once you’ve identified a facility, be sure to visit it more than once to gauge its cleanliness, upkeep, and how the staff treats the residents. The experts advise that at least one of these visits should be unannounced.
When visiting, you should check if the rooms are accessible and arranged to suit older adults with dementia. You should also ask if they are Medicaid or Medicare certified and for details about security measures that would keep the residents safe. Seeing cultural and racial diversity in the staff and residents can be a good sign.
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How to Afford Memory Care
The cost of facilities that provide memory care can vary widely depending on what you choose. Adult daycare is a good option for those who can still live at home but need to be kept occupied during the day. They may be covered by Medicaid or programs such as the Older Americans Act. Assisted living facilities, on the other hand, are for people who can no longer live at home but still have some level of independence. These can cost almost $7,000 on average monthly and may not be covered by Medicaid depending on how your state handles the personal care aspect of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, nursing homes are an excellent option for people with dementia who need round-the-clock care. They usually have added security features such as intricate locks and alarms. These facilities are the most expensive and can cost an average of $10,500 monthly. Medicaid may cover some of the costs of living in a nursing home depending on your needs.
Other ways to afford memory care include Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for those under 65 and Social Security Insurance (SSI) for persons over 65. Some states also offer an optional state supplement that can be used to cover certain costs.
Studies show that Black Americans don’t get equal treatment when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. If your loved one is at the stage of needing memory care, you have to find the right facility that will make their health and safety a priority.
