The True Cost Of Aging At Home For Affluent Elders

Many people prefer to age in place at home when help is needed, rather than go to a care facility. The expenses of assisted living, memory care and home care are all quite high. The best of care at home is attainable, but at a price some don’t consider. Here are two case studies of families who will not allow their loved one to be separated from family and home, even as dementia creates a need for constant monitoring.

Loretta is 86 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease several years ago. She is able to engage with her loved ones and was living with a daughter since her diagnosis. But that daughter became frustrated as the mom got more difficult. Another daughter then took mom into her home. Mom is generally cooperative except when it comes to hygiene. At any attempt to clean her, she becomes very aggressive and combative. She kicks, bites, punches and yells at caregivers. She needs care 24/7 to keep her safe. The family has sold mom’s real estate, used her invested assets and all her cash to meet the $30,000 a month cost of maintaining her in her daughter’s home. Two of her daughters are with her around the clock to ensure that the caregivers from a combination of an agency and a private hire are able to do the job at the difficult moments. The daughters are devoted to their mother and are willing to be deeply involved, even with helpers around the clock onsite.