Medical lawyer has baffling seven-word response to dad diagnosed with dementia

20 September 2023 , 00:09

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A woman explains the hardships her family had to endure after her father ended up with a dementia diagnosis that would soon eat up their entire savings (Image: Getty Images)

One woman is sharing the heart-wrenching moment when an elder care lawyer explained to her that her father's condition wouldn't be covered by any type of insurance - for a reason that would leave most around the world shocked.

“We don’t consider dementia a medical issue,” said a Medicare rep to Kate Ferranti, shortly after her father was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the 2nd most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

Ferranti and her mother navigated her dad's care needs for seven years - and despite working their entire lives, making within a middle-class salary range, neither of her parents' retirement savings was able to bear the burden of the outlandish costs of tests, medication, and care. On top of that, Medicare, which covers most medical needs for those over 65, didn't cover this extremely common condition.

Over 6.5 million people in the US are affected by dementia or Alzheimers (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

After her father was diagnosed with the illness, she sought help from an elder care lawyer, who told her: “If your parents were poor, I would say don’t worry about this. And if your parents had 2 to 3 million in their IRA accounts, I would say don’t worry about this. But your parents are middle-class, and in this case, that’s a problem."

Ferranti's father worked a union job and had healthcare and a decent retirement fund. Her mother also had a modest job that matched contributions to her 401k. And yet, both of those savings accounts wouldn't be enough to cover the constant costs that a disease like dementia brings around.

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Penning a first-person piece for the Huffington Post, Ferranti explained that: "Like the majority of Americans, they don’t have long-term care insurance because they could not afford the premiums. The cost of my father’s memory care is rapidly depleting their nest egg. It is not clear what will happen to them when the money runs out — none of the options are good, which is a terrifying feeling."

"If my father had cancer or heart disease, he would probably live at home with some home care covered by Medicare. But with dementia, an umbrella term used to describe everything from Lewy body dementia to Alzheimer’s and much more, Medicare deems the needed care as “custodial” or “companionship” and says this care can be provided for by family members."

The costs associated with a long-term memory disease are more than most people have saved for their old age (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Like many in the US, they would've relied on Medicare. Anyone over 65 qualifies for Medicare, and those with disabilities, ALS, or renal failure may qualify early. Yet, dementia patients are not eligible for coverage. Insurance agents told her that government-sponsored health insurance wouldn't be available to her family.

"But my dad’s brain — which can no longer translate commands to his muscles — is not working properly, which certainly seems like a medical issue. He cannot take a shower, use the bathroom, take his pills, get dressed or walk unaided. He cannot be left alone. He cannot put together logical sentences."

Ferranti's mother spent all of her time taking care of her husband until her own physical and mental health began to give out. Watching her parents' deteriorate made her consider what could be done for future patients. And certain experiences with the medical system also left their mark.

One woman explains that Medicare doesn't consider dementia a medical condition - and thus refuses to help people pay for it (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

"My father saw two doctors, and neither mentioned long-term care or offered the help of a social worker. When I asked the second doctor about the prognosis, he brushed me off, saying, “My advice is to go home and live each day. Your father seems like a happy guy.” When I later asked about home care, he told me to " Google Visiting Angels,'" says Ferranti.

"Because brain diseases are mysterious, doctors will not predict how long my father will live (and therefore, how much money is necessary). But doctors should warn families of the financial challenges particular to dementia care, especially when there is a spouse. There is living to plan for, even if that feels perverse while dying is taking place."

Most of all, Ferranti is urging lawmakers to reconsider their Medicare policies. Nearly 6.5 million people in this country currently have either Alzheimer's or dementia. The numbers rise every year. So do healthcare costs. The average monthly cost of memory care in the United States is $6,935 (5,440.07 GBP), according to 2021 NIC statistics. This is more expensive than typical assisted living (about $4,500 or 3631 GBP/month) but less than a private room in a nursing home ($9,034, 7262 GBP).

Yelena Mandenberg