What Is the Nature of Alzheimer’s, and What Are the Expenses Associated With Its Care?

We have all heard of Alzheimer’s. We know that it has to do with age-related memory loss. But what is it exactly? Is Alzheimer’s a mental illness? How common is it? Moreover, what are the expenses associated with Alzheimer’s care? This article will help you understand it better.

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder. It physically changes the brain. What’s called “plaques and tangles” cause brain cell death. This is what leads to memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Mostly it affects older adults.

Is Alzheimer’s a Mental Illness?

Since Alzheimer’s is associated with the brain, many people wonder if it is a mental illness. Alzheimer’s is not a mental illness. Instead, it is a neurological disorder.

It does affect mental functions like memory and cognition. However, as aforementioned, it’s primarily characterized by physical changes in the brain. Mental illnesses, on the other hand, primarily involve disturbances in thought, emotion, and behavior. While mental illnesses can have biological components, they don’t typically involve the physical degeneration of the brain.

So, no Alzheimer’s is not a mental illness.

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

Most people associate Alzheimer’s with memory loss. Indeed, this is the most common symptom of the condition. Moreover, it’s typically the earliest symptom to show up. However, there are other symptoms associated with the condition as well. These include:

Problem-Solving / Planning Challenges

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan. They may also find it hard to work with numbers. As a result, they may find it challenging to follow a familiar recipe, keep track of monthly bills, or plan out errands.

Difficulty Completing Daily Tasks

People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. They may have trouble driving to a familiar location, for example. They may not remember how to organize a grocery list. Or they may not remember the rules of a favorite game. This has to do with both planning and memory issues.

Confusion with Time and Place

People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time.

Visual and Spatial Image Issues

Some people may have difficulties reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast. This is one of the main reasons driving becomes problematic.

Speaking or Writing Problems

People with Alzheimer’s might struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word, or call things by the wrong name.

They may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue. Commonly, they may repeat themselves.

Misplacing Items

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again.

Decreased Judgment

They may use poor judgment when dealing with money. As a result, they are often targets of financial scams.

Social Withdrawal

People with Alzheimer’s may start to withdraw from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports.

Changes in Mood and Personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.

Is There a Cure for Alzheimer’s?

There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s. However, there are medications available to help manage symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease.

Is Alzheimer’s and Dementia the Same Thing?

It’s important to note that there are many different types of age-related memory loss. First of all, some forgetfulness when aging is perfectly normal. Forgetting a word or an appointment now and then shouldn’t be cause for concern.

Alzheimer’s itself is just one form of dementia. Dementia is all of the neurological disorders that affect the brain’s memory and problem-solving skills, each in their particular ways. Another example is Lewy body Dementia, the condition Robin Williams had at the end of his life. Vascular dementia, Parkinson’s-related dementia, and frontotemporal Dementia are just a few other examples.

Alzheimer’s Costs

As you or your parents age, you might become concerned about the cost of Alzheimer’s. To plan properly, it’s certainly helpful to consider all of those potential costs. Alzheimer’s has medical costs, direct costs, and indirect costs.

Medical Costs Associated with Alzheimer’s

A person’s medical costs will vary greatly depending on the symptoms, the stage of the condition, and health insurance situation. Medical costs to plan for include:

Doctor’s Visits: Regular check-ups with a primary care physician, neurologist, geriatrician, or psychiatrist.
Medical Testing: Blood tests, brain imaging scans (like MRI or CT scans), neuropsychological tests.
Medications: Drugs to manage memory symptoms of Alzheimer’s, as well as any other concurrent health conditions (like heart disease or diabetes).
Hospital Stays: This might be necessary if the individual has a health crisis, falls, or needs surgery.
Home Health Care: Services from healthcare professionals, such as nursing care, physical therapy, or speech therapy, provided at home.
Medical Equipment: Items like walkers, wheelchairs, or hospital beds for home use.
Specialist Services: Consultations with dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or speech therapists.
Psychiatric Care: Treatment for mood or behavior problems that often accompany Alzheimer’s, such as depression, agitation, or insomnia. Therefore, even though Alzheimer’s is not a mental illness, there may be a need for mental health care.
Long-Term Care Facilities: Residing in a nursing home or other long-term care facility which provides 24-hour supervised care with meals, activities, and health management.
Hospice Care: At the end-stage of the disease, hospice care provides palliative care to alleviate symptoms and make the patient more comfortable.

Direct Non-Medical Costs Associated with Alzheimer’s

In addition to specific medical costs, there are many direct costs associated with general caregiving and daily life for people with Alzheimer’s. There is some overlap with the medical costs depending on the disease progression. These costs may include:

In-Home Care Services: Professional caregivers can assist with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management.
Adult Day Care Services: These centers provide care and supervision during the day. They offer activities and social interaction. This can provide respite for full-time caregivers.
Assisted Living Facilities: These residential options can provide a variety of non-medical services such as meal preparation, assistance with daily activities, and social and recreational activities.
Home Modifications: Changes might need to be made to the home to ensure safety and accessibility. For example, installing grab bars, ramps, or stairlifts, or removing tripping hazards.
Transportation Services: If driving becomes unsafe, services might be needed for transportation to medical appointments and social activities.
Meal Delivery Services: If preparing meals becomes challenging, meal delivery services can ensure the individual is receiving proper nutrition.
Respite Care: Temporary relief services for caregivers, which can include in-home care, short-term residential care, or day center programs.
Durable Goods: These can include safety devices like medical alert systems or practical items such as incontinence supplies.

Indirect Costs Associated with Alzheimer’s

In addition to direct costs, meaning actual money spent, there are indirect costs for family members. For example, one partner may quit their job to care full-time for an aging parent.

Lost Wages: Caregivers often have to reduce their work hours, take unpaid leave, or even quit their jobs entirely to care for their loved ones. This results in a loss of income.
Retirement Savings: Caregivers may need to tap into their retirement savings earlier than planned. Alternatively, they might not be able to contribute as much to their retirement due to lost wages or increased expenses.
Career Opportunities: Caregivers may miss out on job opportunities, promotions, or career advancements.
Health Effects: Caregivers often experience physical and emotional stress, which can lead to health problems. This can result in additional medical costs and lost wages.
Leisuree: Caregivers often have less time for socializing, relaxation, hobbies, and other personal activities.
Education: Younger caregivers, especially children or grandchildren of those affected, may have to delay or forego their education to take on caregiving responsibilities.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Caregivers often incur expenses related to the care of their loved one. For example, travel expenses for medical appointments, home modifications, or purchasing equipment and supplies.

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Kathryn Vercillo

Kathryn Vercillo is a professional writer who loves to live a balanced life. She appreciates a good work-life balance. She enjoys balance in her relationships and has worked hard to learn how to balance her finances to allow for a balanced life overall. Although she’s only blonde some of the time, she’s always striving for total balance. She’s excited to share what she’s learned with you and to discover more together along the way.