Jul 16, 2018
Technology for Alzheimer’s Caregiving: What issues can we solve?

A recent article by Healthline outlined two important issues in Alzheimer’s caregiving – the huge outlay of money to care for someone, and the huge financial hit that unpaid caregivers take in their financial future while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. These issues are heartbreaking to read about, especially as technology can change the picture. Imagine if using technology to assist in caregiving could extend the amount of time a caregiver could safely remain in the workforce? And a person with Alzheimer’s could safely stay at home? The benefits are huge.

First, the raw outlay of costs from the Healthline report on the state of caregivers:

“Alzheimer’s is the costliest disease in the United States. Its annual raw expense is more than $270 billion but the toll it takes on patients and caregivers alike is incalculable. A substantial reason that Alzheimer’s doesn’t cost more is thanks to the 16.1 million unpaid caregivers who’ve taken on the management of their loved ones’ disease. This selfless task saves the nation more than $232 billion annually.”

If that weren’t frightening enough, how about the cost to the caregiver of having to drop out of the workforce?

“An astounding 1 of every 2 caregivers has seen their career or finances negatively impacted by the time and energy their care requires…

• They’ve quit a job and lose an entire personal revenue stream. Sometimes a spouse can pick up the slack but that’s not always enough.
• Their standard income is lost and they’re also not contributing to their 401(k).
• They’ve lost an employer matching their retirement savings.
• They aren’t contributing to their Social Security, ultimately reducing total overall lifetime contributions.

Caregivers will pay for these sacrifices again when they reach retirement.”

What is needed is a way for families to slow down, or postpone as long as they can moving to the inevitable 24/7 care they will need to provide. One of the new ways to do this is with technology at the point of care – where the loved one is – to improve the quality of care, make caregiving easier, and safely allow independence longer for those living with Alzheimer’s.

One expert, Dr. Nikhil Palekar, says “there’s a lot of new technology being used to help both caregivers and those receiving care. Some of the things he’s most excited to see and recommend include: 

• GPS trackers than can be attached to clothing or worn as a watch that give a patient’s exact location;
• Home monitoring tools that are sensor-based, e.g., can signal if the patient hasn’t left the bathroom for a period of time;
• Mayo Health Manager to track appointments, health records, and insurance in one place;
• Smartphone apps that provide tips and advice, manage information and communication, log symptoms and behaviors, track medication, and facilitate journaling.”

This technology can extend the time before full time caregiving is required by one to many months. This allows a person living with Alzheimer’s to safely rely on part-time caregiving longer (a savings of $4,000 – $13,000 per month for full time professional caregivers according to Genworth) and the caregiver to remain in the workforce (monthly salary + Social Security + 401(k) and employer matching, if available). The numbers start to add up rapidly.

Does that mean that technology like that described by Dr. Palekar is expensive since it’s offsetting significant costs? Thankfully, no. And that’s what our next blog will explore – what exactly is that technology at the point of care and does it change the economics?