I'm concerned about my aging parent -- he/she is showing signs of Alzheimer's and/or is starting to need more help than I can give him/her, but I don't want to put him/her in a nursing home. What are my options?
Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive illness in which an individual experiences memory loss that interferes with activities of daily life (this is often the first symptom of Alzheimer's that families notice). Deterioration in the ability to remember, to think clearly and rationally, and to perform activities of daily living ultimately affects an individual's ability to take care of him/herself.
People facing the effects of Alzheimer's in an aging parent or spouse have many difficult decisions to make. Yet there are also supports available to avoid premature or unnecessary nursing home placement.
The U.S. Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead Decision mandates that individuals with disabilities, including the elderly, must be served by the State (Medicaid/Medicare) in the least restrictive setting. The Court's decision provides an important legal framework for our mutual efforts to enable individuals to remain in or return to their homes and communities. RCIL's Nursing Home Transition Program is in place to help individuals remain in or re-enter their community.
To help you and your family in handling the impact of Alzheimer's, RCIL offers the following within its Elderly Services Program:
- Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Coalition (ADAC) - Provides information and referral, assessments, counseling services, educational presentations, and outreach to individuals, caregivers, professionals, and family members of those with Alzheimer's Disease.
- Adult Day Services - A social day program designed to improve the quality of life for adults of all ages facing disabilities including physical limitations, developmental disabilities, mental retardation, Alzheimer's and other dementias, as well as provide respite for caregivers.
- In-Home Respite - Gives caregivers of people with disabilities time to pursue personal, business, or recreational activities. A qualified respite worker will come to your home to supervise and interact with your family member while the caregiver is away.
Please don't hesitate to contact us to learn more about what's available to you and your family, including finding funding alternatives for services and arranging the appropriate level of community support for your specific situation.