Alzheimer's Care Costs to Skyrocket with Aging Boomer Population

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Experts predict the costs associated with caring for people with Alzheimer's disease will reach $1.1 trillion by 2050, largely due to the aging boomer population. Ten million are anticipated to develop the disease.^* This represents a 500 percent increase in combined Alzheimer's care costs to Medicare and Medicaid in the next 38 years,^* and forecasts an unsustainable burden on the U.S. health care system.

Home Instead Senior Care^®, the leading global provider of home care for seniors, estimates that 29 percent of seniors currently receiving paid, in-home, nonmedical care have Alzheimer's Disease or another dementia – reinforcing the trend that the need for these services for families will grow in the near future. 

"Unfortunately, with the aging boomer population, Alzheimer's disease will strike more and more people, challenging our current health care system to meet their care needs," said Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead, Inc. "As a result we anticipate home care becoming an increasingly important part of the health care continuum for seniors."

Home Instead Senior Care already is experiencing high demand for its home care services. In just 18 years, the network has grown from one office in Omaha, Neb., to more than 950 franchise offices worldwide. Home Instead franchise ownership presents solid business opportunity for entrepreneurs to make a positive difference, while doing work they love.

"My personal experience caring for my mother with Alzheimer's changed my life, inspiring me to dedicate my time to serving others dealing with this devastating disease and other age-related issues," said Lucy Novelly, a Home Instead Senior Care franchise owner in Pittsburgh, Pa. "Through my Home Instead Senior Care franchise, I have been able to involve myself in meaningful work that helps seniors and families in my community."

To meet current and future Alzheimer's care needs, Home Instead Senior Care has invested significantly in making specialized care available for its Alzheimer's clients. Specifically, the organization has conducted considerable research into the unique care needs for people with the disease. Based on its findings, Home Instead Senior Care has created a groundbreaking training program for its CAREGivers(SM), who – beyond instruction on daily living needs – are trained in techniques to mentally engage with clients to create a sense of security and manage difficult behaviors caused by the disease.

"Individuals with Alzheimer's often lose their most recent memories first, which can cause them to feel anxious and disoriented in unfamiliar environments," said aging specialist, Dr. Jane Potter. "Home Instead's training program, however, helps caregivers learn how to best preserve Alzheimer's clients' skills and dignity, while improving their overall quality of life. This training is establishing a high standard for the future of Alzheimer's care." 

In addition to its specialized training program for its CAREGivers(SM), Home Instead Senior Care offers free online and in-person Alzheimer's CARE training programs for family members caring for loved ones with the disease. To find out more about Home Instead franchise opportunities, visit http://franchises.homeinstead.com/.

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE^®
Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Neb., by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care^® network is the world's largest provider of nonmedical, in-home care services for seniors, with more than 950 independently owned and operated franchises, providing in excess of 45 million hours of care throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, South Korea, Finland, Austria, Italy, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands. Local Home Instead Senior Care^® franchise offices employ more than 65,000 CAREGivers(SM) worldwide who provide basic support services – assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, incidental transportation and shopping – which enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. In addition, CAREGivers(SM) are trained in the network's groundbreaking Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education(SM) Program to work with seniors who suffer from these conditions. This world-class curriculum also is available free to family caregivers online or through local Home Instead Senior Care^® offices. At Home Instead Senior Care^®, it is relationship before task, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the lives of seniors everywhere.

*Source: 2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report published by the Alzheimer's Association: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp

SOURCE Home Instead Senior Care