Dementia Care More Costly-Study

Support from family and friends was given a cost value at recent study which it found that it doubled the overall cost of caring for someone with dementia.

 According to the study caring for  patients with dementia, often called alzheimer's is a great financial burden on society, greater than caring for patients with heart disease or cancer.

Researchers  compared the cost of treating heart disease, cancer and alzheimer's  and found alzheimers care to be 109 billion annualy while, cancer is 77billion and heart disease 102 billion.

The study was done in the USA using US participants.

For the study researchers collected data on ;

• Self-reported out of pocket cost
• Nursing home spending
• Medicare claims data
• Hours spent by unpaid volunteers

The annual cost per person was $56.290.

When support from family and friends was  given a cost value the annual cost doubled, to 215 billion. Researchers predict this figure will reach 511 billion by 2040.

 Read more about this report on the cost of dementia care.

How To Help Seniors Have A Safe Stay In Hospital

The question was how best can an elderly woman prepare for a comfortable stay in hospital and a safe recovery.

The person who raised the question was a family member and the hospital stay for knee surgery.

Giving for health begins as soon as the decision for surgery is made.

Support and encouragement from family members are important before surgery, they can help with physical and emotional support. This may mean giving up some of their time or even money.

Preparing both physically and emotionally means better health prior to surgery. Good health before surgery means quicker and fuller recovery.

A positive attitude on the part of the family member can go a long way towards to fostering hope and

After surgery, while recovering, instead of giving her flowers or a get well card, instead of a box of chocolates or some of her favourite cookies give a gift of health.

Leg surgery will affect mobility and the ability to be physically active. Remember to give gifts that can assist with mobility and daily living.

There are medical aids and supplies that will assist with daily living and for safe recovery; these can be given as wrapped gifts instead of others.

Here are some useful advice for family members and care givers on how they can contribute to the prevention of delirium. The advice are in an article in the Spec.com
Read about these below.
TheSpec - How to help seniors have a safe stay in hospital