Services For Alzheimer Victims

Although identified by Alois Alzheimer very early in this century, it is only in the last five to ten years that our society has begun to recognize the profoundly adverse effects Alzheimer's disease and various related disorders have on victims, their families, and their caregivers. Non institutional support services specifically for these victims are still in their infancy compared to the development of other types of multifaceted social services. Moreover, the nature and availability of such services vary a great deal from community to community and are often haphazard and incomplete.

A good example of the problems associated with providing care for victims of neurological impairments may be seen in the need for adult day care centers. Such centers need to have trained, professional personnel to provide various therapies, while a medical staff monitors the patient's health. The frequent turnover in day-care center clients, along with the high economic costs of providing such care, have combined to make such facilities unattractive and unprofitable for private enterprise. Compounding the problem is the fact that public awareness and support for such programs are slight. We are, however, beginning to see some signs of improvement in this regard. For example, some limited public funding is now being directed toward services for the neurologically impaired Alzheimer victim. Some insurance companies and investment organizations are presently studying and evaluating the possibilities for long-term care insurance and savings plans.

Because of the high costs associated with long-term care, some victims will qualify for social services based on a "means test," i.e., based on their income levels. Examples of these services include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, utility bill assistance, free or discounted prescription drugs, Medicaid, homemaker services, home repair assistance, and a variety of other services that vary from state to state. Noteworthy, however, is the fact that such services are available to anyone whose income is below certain standards. Having a neurological impairment does not, in and of itself, secure financial assistance.

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