Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Awareness, and How Accessia Health Can Help
July 11, 2022 — Our minds are beautiful, unique things. They help us remember birthdays and calculate math equations; they even help us process emotions and situations.
While our brain is an amazing organ, it doesn’t always work the way it’s supposed to. We see this in mental health disorders, neurological illnesses, and even in conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
What is Alzheimer’s
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is an illness affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. It stems from dementia — memory and cognitive loss affecting someone’s daily life — and symptoms worsen over the years.
Someone with this disease generally lives four to eight years after diagnosis but can live up to 20 years in some cases. Most people diagnosed with this condition are 65 and older, but there are rare occasions where someone younger can be diagnosed with it.
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
This progressive disease is caused by brain shrinking (atrophy) and brain cells dying. Early signs include forgetting recent events or conversations, and overtime, severe memory loss and lack of ability to do everyday tasks. In later stages of the disease, severe loss of brain function — such as dehydration, malnutrition, or infection — can result in death. There are many symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
People with Alzheimer’s commonly:
- Repeat themselves
- Forget recent conversations or upcoming events, and not remember them later
- Routinely lose things, often putting them in interesting places
- Get lost in familiar places
- Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects
- Have trouble expressing thoughts or taking part in conversations
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but certain medication can temporarily improve or slow symptoms. These treatments can sometimes help people with brain functionality — allowing the individual more independence.
Alzheimer’s Disease Care and Treatment Costs
Alzheimer’s disease care treatment costs include an average of $27,672 for formal care and anywhere from $10,400 to $34,517 for informal care for each patient annually. It’s difficult to minimize or escape the medical costs associated with this illness; however, opportunities exist through patient assistance programs committed to helping patients in need.
This Is Where We Come In
Accessia Health has an established Alzheimer’s Program providing financial assistance for copays, insurance premiums, medical expenses, and medical-related travel for eligible patients.
For more information, or to see if you qualify for assistance in any of our available programs, check out our prescreening tool and apply today. You can also call us at 1-800-366-7741.*
To support patients seeking assistance with Alzheimer’s Disease or other chronic neurological conditions, click here to donate. Make sure to designate your gift to the “Alzheimer’s Fund.”
*Please consult with your healthcare provider or seek professional medical treatment if you have any medical concerns. Please do not disregard any professional medical advice or take any delay in seeking medical treatment based on anything you may have read in this blog, on this website or in any linked materials contained within. Thank You.