It is humbling to know that almost 70% of Americans turning 65 will need long term care at some point. In face, currently the average age of retirement is 63 due to disability. Seeking a specialized care facility for one or both of your parents is more of a reality than a possibility. It is sobering when you have to talk to your loved one about the possibility of finding a nursing facility for them. This is because 55% of survey respondents reported that their greatest fear for long-term care is being a burden to their families.
Some family member try to take on the task of taking care of their parents while holding down jobs, taking care of their own children and participating in other responsibilities. This causes burn out quickly, and at least one or two things never get finished. This may result in a lack of care for the elderly or even abuse. In fact, unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of care in 2016, with a value of $230 million. Over 15 million Americans are unpaid caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
A specialized care facility may be the answer to many of the worries of overworked family members. Currently, more than five million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s. Also, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 80% of dementia diagnoses. The majority of people living with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65, but about 200,000 Americans under 65 have early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Memory care units usually provide 24 hour supervised care for the residents. A specialized care facility offers safety, healthy meals and daily activities for the mind and body. Almost 40% of assisted living residents received assistance with three or more daily living activities. Also, memory care facilities are more regulated in 23 out of 50 states due to special care unit disclosure laws.
If your loved one has signs of Alzheimers, you can give them the best care by seeking out a reputable specialized care facility. This will take much of the burden off of children who have so many responsibilities and want to give the best care possible to their aging parents.
