They may ask the same question over and over again. Simple math problems may
become hard to solve. Such difficulties begin to interfere with jobs or
other activities. As the disease gets worse, people with AD may:
•
Forget something that just happened even
though they can remember events from many
years ago.
•
Become disoriented and get lost in once
familiar places.
•
Become passive and lose their initiative.
•
Forget how to do simple tasks, like
brushing their teeth or combing their hair.
•
Not be able to think clearly.
•
Have trouble talking, understanding,
reading, and writing.
•
Stop bathing regularly or eating regular
meals.
•
Have sudden, unpredictable mood changes.
•
Become suspicious and paranoid about other
people's intentions and behavior.
•
Become confused, anxious or aggressive.
Some may become violent or angry, while
others may be docile or helpless.
•
Wander away from home
•
Eventually, persons with AD need total
care.
Assisted Living Facility
– Assisted living is a combination of housing and health care services
for individuals needing assistance with some of the activities of daily
living (eating, walking, bathing, etc.). Assisted living is a general term
for living arrangements in which some services are available to residents
(e.g., meals, cleaning, and medication reminders), but residents still live
independently within the assisted living complex.
•
The first is independent living in a small
home on the grounds. The home might be a
patio home, a condominium, a cottage, a ranch home, or even an apartment in
a high-rise
building. In many CCRCs there is a choice between renting an apartment or
buying a
home. Residents of these facilities are normally in fairly good health and
lead quite
independent lives, coming and going as they please.
•
The second phase of a CCRC is an assisted
living facility. Residents receive some help
with daily living and dressing, for example. Depending on the facility, the
resident may
just have a room and bath or an apartment with a small kitchen. In any
event, there is
always a dining room where the resident(s) may take meals if they so choose.
•
The third phase of a CCRC is a nursing
home, which offers 24-hour skilled care. Each
CCRC is different, with its own appearance, rules and regulations, health
care coverage,
and cost. Some will only allow an individual to move in during the
independent living
phase.
Death Benefits
– Money and/or in-kind benefits paid to the
survivors of the deceased (also called survivor benefits). These benefits
are usually provided to eligible survivors
of the deceased upon receipt of proof of death, such as a copy of the death
certificates. Amounts may be paid in one lump sum, as in life insurance
policies and the Social Security lump-sum burial expense payment, or they
may be paid over time, as in Social Security survivor benefits.
Dementia –
Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that are caused by changes in brain
function. Signs of dementia include changes in memory, personality, and
behavior. Dementia makes it hard for a person to carry out normal daily
activities. A person with dementia may ask the same questions repeatedly and
get lost in familiar places. He or she may be unable to follow directions;
be disoriented about time, people, and places; and
(cont)
