What Support Can People With Dementia Get?

Millions of people across the United States are either directly affected by dementia or are deeply involved in providing dementia care support to someone who is. At Story Cottage Living, we understand the complexities and challenges that come with this journey. We are committed to offering guidance and insights to help you better support the loved one(s) in your life with dementia.

Our latest guide delves into the myriad forms of assistance available, aiming to equip you with knowledge and resources crucial for effective dementia care support. Whether you’re just beginning to navigate this path or looking to enhance the care you’re already providing, our goal is to be a compassionate and informative ally in your journey of supporting those with dementia.

What Help Is Available for Someone With Dementia?

From memory care programs and assisted living communities that provide specialized care for dementia patients to senior resource groups to various kinds of medical professionals, lots of help exists for folks dealing with dementia. Let’s get into some of them below.

What Helps With Early-Onset Dementia?

Early-onset dementia describes dementia that affects individuals under the age of 65. Each case is unique, and the support that someone receives should be based on their needs. With that being said, the earlier that dementia symptoms are recognized in an individual, the more time you have to evaluate, diagnose, and begin necessary preparative steps for them. Additionally, assisting patients in maintaining their independence and mental, physical, and emotional well-being as much as possible surely helps those experiencing early-onset dementia.

Can Dementia Be Helped If Caught Early?

While dementia is not something that we have found a cure for, early diagnosis of it can be extremely beneficial. For example, it’s important in dementia’s earlier stages to have the affected individual make decisions to the best of their ability about things like care preferences, legal matters, and financial planning. Early diagnosis can also be especially helpful for some forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease, which has medications available to help slow its progression. 

What Are the Helpful Resources for Dementia Patients?

Thankfully, various resources exist to help individuals dealing with dementia throughout their diagnosis. Here are a few resources available for dementia patients:

• Advocacy resources. Both local and nationwide organizations that specialize in dementia care and provide valuable information and support exist.
• Legal and financial planning professionals. It can be very beneficial to meet with someone specializing in elder law to assist with financial planning and power of attorney.
• Counseling and support groups. For both dementia patients and those taking care of them, counseling services and learning coping strategies can be extremely helpful. 

What Services Are Available for Dementia Patients?

Relatedly, here are some of the many services available for dementia patients: 

• Dementia specialists. Medical professionals who focus on dementia care can be helpful in many ways, such as offering insights and treatment options.
• Adult daycare centers, assisted living centers, and skilled nursing facilities. Lots of different short- and long-term care facilities are available for dementia patients to stay in.
• Memory care services. Even more catered to dementia patients than the services listed in the previous bullet, memory care facilities provide a secure environment with structured activities tailored to dementia.

What Financial Help Can You Get With Someone With Dementia?

Paying for dementia care is not always easy, depending on an individual’s financial situation. Thankfully, there are also many resources that provide financial help for dementia patients in order to cover their medical care. Let’s go over a few sources that you can turn to for financial assistance:

• Medicare. This national healthcare program covers some of the costs associated with dementia care, including doctor visits and short-term hospital stays, but typically doesn’t cover longer-term services.
• Medicaid. While specifics vary from state to state, Medicaid aims to provide coverage for lower-income individuals and families and can cover some of the costs associated with home care, for example.
• Long-term care insurance. People who have established long-term care insurance policies can use them to cover the costs of care, such as in a nursing or memory care home.
• Elderly waiver programs. Certain states have government grants for dementia patients in the form of elderly waiver programs that offer community-based services and support.

Where Is the Best Place To Put Someone With Dementia?

Where a dementia patient lives out their days is really up to them—if they are capable of that decision-making—and their family. For some families, taking care of their loved ones at home with caregivers is manageable and preferred. For many others, it makes sense for an individual to be placed into an environment specialized for their care, such as long-term care facilities for dementia patients or a memory care facility.

How Story Cottage Can Help 

If you’re in Indiana or Florida and are looking for dementia help in your area, Story Cottage is the place for you. We offer a unique form of memory care facility that is primed and prepared for dementia care. Schedule a visit at our two beautiful locations in Indianapolis and Carmel. We think your loved ones deserve the best, and that’s why the best is all we offer. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about our services.