Insurance Guide for Alzheimer’s Disease: Honoring Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month may refer to several observances that aim to highlight the frequency and severity of Alzheimer’s disease, support current patients, promote cognitive health and raise money for Alzheimer’s research. While most health insurance plans cover many costs associated with Alzheimer’s treatment, you may need Medicaid or other specialized coverage to help pay for long-term care.

Keep reading to learn more about National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month celebrations, why they’re important and what insurance options are available for individuals with dementia.

On This Page

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  What Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?

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  Alzheimer’s Awareness Month History

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  What You Can Do To Help Someone With Alzheimer’s

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  How To Celebrate and Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

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  FAQs

What Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month refers to an informal campaign various organizations use to highlight the impacts of Alzheimer’s disease on both patients and their loved ones. Throughout the month, people are encouraged to educate themselves about Alzheimer’s disease, look for opportunities to support those living with Alzheimer’s and take steps to improve and maintain their own brain health.^[1]

When Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?

There are multiple months commonly used to promote Alzheimer’s disease awareness in the United States and worldwide: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, World Alzheimer’s Month in September and National Alzheimer’s Disease Month in November.^[1][2][3] While each month serves a similar purpose, different organizations within the Alzheimer’s movement may promote and celebrate these months in different ways.

For example, some organizations associate the color teal with the Alzheimer’s awareness movement, while others recommend wearing purple to promote Alzheimer’s awareness.^[4][5]

Why Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month Important?

Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease is important because of its prevalence and severity. It’s estimated that around 7 million Americans over the age of 64 have Alzheimer’s — and that number is projected to nearly double by 2060.^[6] In addition, two-thirds of the people in the United States possess at least one major risk factor for dementia.^[5]

As of now, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.^[7] Also, while healthy lifestyle habits may help minimize your risk of developing Alzheimer’s, there is currently no definitive way to prevent it.^[8] As a result, every American needs to look into screening options for early detection and know what to expect from Alzheimer’s dementia — as well as how to support those living with the condition.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month History

The first Alzheimer’s Awareness Month celebration was formally recognized by the United States government in 1985. Congress issued a resolution designating November 1985 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month, and President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation affirming the commemoration. In his proclamation, Reagan noted that half of all American nursing home residents at the time had some form of dementia.^[3]

What You Can Do To Help Someone With Alzheimer’s

Caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s should take steps like these to help manage their loved ones’ behavioral changes and improve their overall quality of life:^[9]

• Refrain from arguing, and avoid showing frustration
• Remind them that you are there to help them
• Actively communicate with them, and be patient as they deal with the cognitive decline that may make communicating difficult for them
• Distract them from their frustrations by taking actions like playing music for them, going on a walk with them or encouraging them to read
• Make their home environment more comfortable by limiting loud noises, cleaning up clutter and making sure pictures or other prized possessions are easily accessible around the house
• Maintain their routine by helping them bathe, get dressed and eat at the same time every day
• Help them exercise, as physical activity may improve their mood and sleep

If the condition of your loved one worsens, you may need to invest in professional long-term care, such as home health care, residential care or hospice care. Be sure to look into local faith-based organizations, national nonprofits or government-funded programs that operate in your community and may be able to help you pay for Alzheimer’s care, if necessary.^[10]

Both Medicare and private health insurance plans can cover many of the costs associated with Alzheimer’s treatments, including inpatient care, therapy and prescription drugs. However, these plans provide limited coverage for care involving support with daily living activities, so you may need to purchase separate long-term care insurance if Alzheimer’s runs in your family.^[11]

Medicaid offers much broader coverage for long-term care, but your loved one won’t qualify unless they have little income or meet other state-mandated eligibility requirements.^[11]

How To Celebrate and Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

See below for examples of how to celebrate Alzheimer’s Awareness Month:^[5]

• Participate in Alzheimer’s disease awareness events in your area
• Volunteer to teach people in your community about risk reduction techniques and how they can recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s
• Contact your representative to encourage Congress to invest in dementia research and health care infrastructure
• Donate to Alzheimer’s research or support programs and organizations raising awareness about the mission to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the future
• Post about the fight against Alzheimer’s on social media