Costs of assisted living/memory care facilities are breathtaking! Will they accept patients with early-severe stage AD?
I've been checking on places for Mom here in SE Michigan and have found that most memory care facilities charge between $6,000 and $7,000 a month. Is this normal? Needless to say, that's breathtaking! Will most assisted living communites accept patients with early-severe stage AD?
Expert Answer
I'm in northern New Jersey and the cost of memory care facilities is about the same, sometimes higher. Assisted living communities vary in their capacity to serve AD residents. One differentiator is whether the resident is a "wanderer" and needs to be in a secured environment. Some facilities have "memory care" units separated from the rest of the residents. These are either separate wings or separate floors that require access codes for entry or exit. Residents in "memory care" units require more individual attention and specialized activities. It is more expensive for the facility to care for AD residents, so the cost is higher. If your Mom is not a wanderer, some assisted living communities may be prepared to care for her needs within the general population. The answer depends on your Mother's needs and each facility's capabilities.
If you're overwhelmed trying to find the best fit, you may want to try a local senior living placement service. A good one will be famiiar with the facilities in your area and the services they offer fo AD residents. They will work with you to identify your Mom's needs and provide a short list of facilities for you to visit. The only caveat is they are usually paid by the facility, so they will only guide you to facilities where they have contracts.