My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in December 2017 though we had noticed some worsening of her memory for probably a year before. In August this year we moved her into a lovely care home and she is now happily settled there. We are currently selling her home to enable us to continue to pay for her care. We are investigating a policy which will provide care for the rest of her life for a considerable sum of money. The breakeven point is six years from now when my mother will be 93. Although Mum's short term memory is non- existent she can still hold a very lucid conversation and is physically well. The difficulty is knowing how quickly her health might deteriorate and therefore would we be better just funding her care from the proceeds of the sale. She only ever had a written test for the diagnosis as she refused a scan. Up until now, she has also refused all medication. I have just learnt that she has been prescribed something (without my knowledge which I am following up on ...) so I cannot comment on what the medication is. Any comments/advice on how quickly we might expect the disease to affect her would be gratefully received. Thank you.
Life Expectancy
- Thread starter Hartfield12
- Start date
Not sure these sort of policies are good value. It is probably best to just pay from the proceeds from the sale. However you could take advice from a financial adviser who specialises products for the elderly. SOLLA is the society of later life advisers.
Thank you. We are dealing with a financial adviser whom my brother has used very successfully for many years. It's just a question of which way to go for the best depending on what we can expect regarding Mum's health. Difficult!
Have you factored in annual fee increases which can be horrendously high, all the continuing increased need for PPE will be an additional cost to the home at the next increase.
Also check if the home will increase the fee if her needs change or if she has to move into nursing care.
Also check if the home will increase the fee if her needs change or if she has to move into nursing care.
Hello @Hartfield12 welcome to the forum. Life expectancy with alzheimers is not easy to predict as there can be a number of variables involved but you may find this factsheet helpful as it explains the various stages of progression: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about...tia-progresses/progression-alzheimers-disease
Predicting life expectancy in dementia is notoriously difficult and there can be huge variations. You might find this interesting, though.
"In the Bupa sample, the average length of stay was 801 days, but with a considerable tail of long-stayers. Half of residents had died by 462 days. "
"In the Bupa sample, the average length of stay was 801 days, but with a considerable tail of long-stayers. Half of residents had died by 462 days. "
This might seem a very cruel thing to say - but your mother is 87 now...... even without Alzheimer's, what is her life expectancy? I know so many, like the Queen and Prince Philip, live until a great old age, but they are the exception.....My partner is 74, was diagnosed almost 4 years ago - the GP said "Let him enjoy himself, he is life limited anyway"....
Try this ONS calculator
Life expectancy calculator - Office for National Statistics
Enter your age and sex in our calculator to find out your life expectancy, and the likelihood of you living to be 100 years old.
www.ons.gov.uk
Ultimately it's a gamble. The calculation has been based on the fact that the financial company will turn a profit over many policies but not necessarily your mum's.
My mum was diagnosed aged 83 with AD, although with hindsight she'd clearly been diagnosable for 3 years with other little signs over 5 years before that (I rang her GP when she was 78 with concerns).
She is now 90, and has gone downhill a lot in the last 12 months (downturn started last Oct so I can't blame lockdown, although it hasn't helped). Her mobility is limited (she has used a frame for several years) her understanding is limited, but she lives in a sheltered extra care flat with 4 carers calls daily.
I never expected her to still be here nearly 8 years ago when she had a crisis, and certainly thought she'd be in a home a few years ago (she probably should be by now but care co are supporting her as better not to move at the moment).
Many of my friends/colleagues parents were in reasonable if not good health with no indication of dementia when my mum had her crisis, went downhille, were diagnosed with dementia (VD or AD) and have since died. My neighbours dad who was pretty healthy 2 years ago had a couple of falls in last 12 months went downhill fast (no dementia) and died a few weeks ago aged 87.
As I said a gamble.
My mum was diagnosed aged 83 with AD, although with hindsight she'd clearly been diagnosable for 3 years with other little signs over 5 years before that (I rang her GP when she was 78 with concerns).
She is now 90, and has gone downhill a lot in the last 12 months (downturn started last Oct so I can't blame lockdown, although it hasn't helped). Her mobility is limited (she has used a frame for several years) her understanding is limited, but she lives in a sheltered extra care flat with 4 carers calls daily.
I never expected her to still be here nearly 8 years ago when she had a crisis, and certainly thought she'd be in a home a few years ago (she probably should be by now but care co are supporting her as better not to move at the moment).
Many of my friends/colleagues parents were in reasonable if not good health with no indication of dementia when my mum had her crisis, went downhille, were diagnosed with dementia (VD or AD) and have since died. My neighbours dad who was pretty healthy 2 years ago had a couple of falls in last 12 months went downhill fast (no dementia) and died a few weeks ago aged 87.
As I said a gamble.
I put my mums age in and her life expectancy was 93 yrs then my age and mine was 87 yrs ?
My mum was in a nursing home for 12 long years with Alzheimer’s, when she went in I would not have given her 6 months . However, I watched every single aspect of this disease ravage her until she died in August this year aged almost 97. I would not wish this for another living soul. My prayers for you and everyone xx
Dad was diagnosed in October 2017 aged 87 although I had made my own diagnosis of alzhiemers at least five years earlier. He died aged 89 in February 2020 If he hadn't have had cancer then he would probably lived a few years more.
His brother made almost 95 and there is a formula based on ages where a person with dementia is expected to live half as long (after diagnosis) as a person without dementia which would have given my dad a few extra years to about 92 or thereabouts.
It is too complicated and it only takes a simple thing such as a small infection to upset the apple cart and bring the expected lifespan down by a number of years as in my dads case. I fully expected to still be caring for dad for another 2 or 3 years at least.
There is just no knowing.
His brother made almost 95 and there is a formula based on ages where a person with dementia is expected to live half as long (after diagnosis) as a person without dementia which would have given my dad a few extra years to about 92 or thereabouts.
It is too complicated and it only takes a simple thing such as a small infection to upset the apple cart and bring the expected lifespan down by a number of years as in my dads case. I fully expected to still be caring for dad for another 2 or 3 years at least.
There is just no knowing.
My wife was only 61 when she first showed the signs of dementia (FTD) and although the progress was reasonably slow (after an initial quick loss of cognitive abilities), she had just turned 69 when she passed away in January this year.
Personally, I would use the proceeds of the sale of your mum's house to pay for her ongoing care. As others have said, her age is a major consideration, together with her dementia.
The uncertainty of this awful condition is very hard to deal with.
Kind regards
Phil
Personally, I would use the proceeds of the sale of your mum's house to pay for her ongoing care. As others have said, her age is a major consideration, together with her dementia.
The uncertainty of this awful condition is very hard to deal with.
Kind regards
Phil
Twice as long as half its length, do you consider yourself to be in mid life?
I also would PAYG
My definition of mid life would be having a crisis. I haven’t had one yet so hope to live to a ripe old age!
Anyone wanting advice about mid life crisis from me would receive the following:
Buy an Aston Martin because it’s cheaper than a divorce!
