Free Help in some area's for Alzheimer's Pts. - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

skygirl · 07-30-2005, 06:16 AM

My stepdad has dementia, and we were told that if the doctor dignosed him as Alzheimer's they could get some free help.
I checked into it at the Community Home Health, and they told me they have grants that will pay for sitter's to come out and give him baths, light cooking and cleaning. I'm going to talk to them on Monday.
They said it isn't based on how much money you have.
I thought I'd pass this on, it's worth checking into.
I'll post after I talk to them if anyone is interested.

Martha H · 07-30-2005, 06:28 AM

Dear Skygirl, where do you live? We tried in vain to get any low cost help for Mom (in New York) who is poor and lives on social security alone, but has just over the limit in savings ... we were told Medicare does not cover ANY nursing home or home care, unless the person has just been released from a hospital, then they might send a nurse for a few visits. She is not eligible for Medicaid until 3 years after all her assets are gone, and you have to prove where they went ..e g not into her children's bank accounts. It is one of the greatest travesities of justice in this country that of all the many sicknesses, and this includes mental illness, Alzheimers and all forms of dementia are the only ones where NOTHING is contributed by Medicare, yet it is probably the worst of all diseases anyone can get.

Medicare pays for a broken hip, and knee replacements, and diabetic care, and all the necessary doctors visits for emphysema or chronic heart failure etc etc ..but not one day in an Alzheimer Nursing Home ..that is supposed to come out of your own pocket .

Let us know how the free help works out ..

Love,

Martha

skygirl · 07-30-2005, 06:35 AM

I'm in NC.
I don't know if all area's have this.
I sure hope the information I got is right.
We called several agencies, but no one told us about the one we finally found. It may depend on whether they bother to apply for grants.
I'll be sure to post when I find out.

skygirl · 07-31-2005, 05:03 AM

I talked to a friend yesterday, and she told me it was paid for with grants.
I'll let you know tomorrow.

skygirl · 07-31-2005, 05:10 AM

I just ran a search for alzheimer's in NY, you'll find several web sites. You could contact some of them and find out if any health care agency can provide free help.